If someone had told you this time last year that Naby Sarr would be playing for Charlton in League One, you would’ve laughed.

The Addicks paid a seven-digit fee to bring the French defender to the Valley on a five-year deal. His Europa League and Champions League pedigree had Charlton fans excited.

But a debut season in SE7, where Sarr struggled in an unforgiving league, ended in relegation from the Championship. He was then shipped out on loan to Red Star Paris, who dropped out of Ligue 2.

It was back-to-back relegations for the 24-year-old. Returning to Charlton in the summer, his confidence must have been at an all-time low.

However, he was welcomed back with open arms by Addicks boss Karl Robinson, who wiped the slate clean.

Speaking about the reborn centre-half in pre-season, Robinson said: “I can only judge players from what they do in front of me, not on what’s gone before.

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Naby Sarr | Picture: Benjamin Peters Photography

“That’s unfair in any walk of life to judge somebody on past record. I can judge you on present form and since Naby’s come back, he’s been very, very good.”

Robinson’s fair approach was completely different to his predecessor Russell Slade, who offloaded Sarr just 13 days into his reign last summer.

And Sarr has paid back Robinson’s faith by integrating himself in a Charlton squad aiming for promotion.

While playing back-up to Jason Pearce and Patrick Bauer, he has put in assured performances in cup games.

But he got his first-team chance in the league against Fleetwood on Saturday, which only came about due to injuries to Chris Solly and Pearce. And he was faultless.

MORE: Robinson says Charlton man must take his chance to regain squad place​

He won his aerial battles and made countless interceptions at crucial times to thwart Fleetwood’s attacking threat. His new-found confidence was on show when an old-fashioned drag-back took two Fleetwood players out of the game.

Hitting 50-yard cross-field passes to start Charlton attacks were phenomenal, too.

Sarr was a totally different player to the one who failed to cope with the physicality of English football two years ago.

It’s only been one league game, but Charlton fans have a right to be excited about the former Sporting Lisbon man again.

Before the summer, supporters viewed Sarr as a joke, who was prone to defensive errors. But those opinions will soon fade if he builds on his fantastic performance at Highbury Stadium.

And so, the Naby Sarr revival is in full swing – and Charlton fans are loving every minute of it.