KOPPY CAT SARR

Blues new boy: I have been watching VVD and Konate to learn about Prem

- BY JOHN CROSS Chief Football Writer

MAMADOU SARR “loves” Virgil van Dijk but the Chelsea defender says he is more like Ibrahima Konate.

The 19-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge this summer with a big reputation after a year learning under Liam Rosenior at Strasbourg.

The France youth star has taken plenty of lessons from former Derby and Hull boss Rosenior who is in charge of one of Chelsea's family of clubs.

But Sarr says he has also watched Liverpool centre-backs Van Dijk (top circle) and Konate (lower circle) to learn from them as he looks to adapt to the English game.

Sarr said: “I want to be like Virgil van Dijk. I love Van Dijk. But some people tell me I play like Ibrahima Konate. It’s similar.