Playing for 90
Fansided

Mohamed Salah: The story of football’s latest superstar

By Thomas Bradley Alderman

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on November 25, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on November 25, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 02: Frank Lampard of Chelsea looks despondent Mohamed Salah of Basel (22) celebrates with Mohamed Elneny (33) as he scores their first goal during the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Chelsea and FC Basel 1893 at Stamford Bridge on May 2, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 02: Frank Lampard of Chelsea looks despondent Mohamed Salah of Basel (22) celebrates with Mohamed Elneny (33) as he scores their first goal during the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Chelsea and FC Basel 1893 at Stamford Bridge on May 2, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) /

Swiss time leads to Mourinho’s Chelsea

One month after Basel organised a game to assess Salah, he signed for them. In the beginning he was an impact substitute. Gradually making his way to a starting position by the time Basel faced Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in the Champions League.

The winger netted in both ties catching the Pensioners’ eyes. In the previous campaign he was also on the score-sheet against the Blues in the Europa League.

The staff at the Swiss club are noted as helping a modest Salah develop vastly.  He won the Swiss Super League in 2013. This was not enough for Basel to keep the ambitious 20-year-old. He finished with 47 appearances and 10 goals.

Signing for Chelsea in January 2013 turned out not to be the greatest of times. His role at Stamford Bridge looked in doubt when it was thought he may have to return to Egypt for military service. However, he was excused and free to stay to London.

Mourinho did two things of note during Salah’s time at Chelsea: one was to help him gain a Premier League winner’s medal after only three appearances. The other was to drag his promising youngster off at half-time (similarly to Luke Shaw).

The Portuguese gaffer, unimpressed, “barked” at him during a game. And told him to “return as a footballer next season”. This left Salah understandably embarrassed. It was in May 2014.

Chelsea then sent him on loan to Fiorentina a few months later. We imagine Mourinho now sees his incorrect-evaluation. Two goals and two assists in 10 was a decent return for a young player needing nourishing development.

Home/Liverpool FC