Signed as a direct reaction to the departures of Juan Mata and Kevin de Bruyne, Mohamed Salah has never really found his feet in West London. The ex-Basle man has certainly suffered from stiff competition for places and an apparent lack of trust from José Mourinho.
One year on from his transfer to Chelsea, Salah found himself walking out the very same door as André Schürrle as part of a deal to bring in Colombian speedster Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina. Salah’s current transfer to the La Viola is a loan until the end of this season, with the Serie A side rumoured to be holding an option to extend the loan deal into the 2015-16 season, after which they can make the transfer permanent with a figure of £18 million being quoted.
Much in contrast to his time in a blue shirt, Salah has enjoyed a bewildering start to life in Italy, recording seven goals and two assists, including a memorable double at Juventus in the Coppa Italia. However the Egyptian international has revealed he is undecided on his future, insisting he is focused on the Europa League where his form has been integral in Vincenzo Montella’s side reaching the semi-finals:
“Chelsea gave me the opportunity to reach that level. I still have one month [May] to make a decision about my future. I am enjoying being here and my objective is to reach the [Europa League] final.”
At the age of just 22, Salah represents immense potential and has been described in his native Egypt as the ‘Egyptian Messi.’ Unfortunately it is hard to see the left-sided attacker ever overhauling the likes of Hazard, Oscar, Cuadrado or even Fàbregas for Chelsea’s attacking midfield positions.
Additionally Chelsea continue to be linked with players of a similar style to Salah, including Benfica’s Nicolás “Nico” Gaitán and Lazio’s Felipe Anderson. Salah’s days at the Bridge look numbered.
