Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah (Photo: Reuters)
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard praised the performance of Liverpool Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah, saying Mo is now a superstar but he joined the Blues in the wrong time.
"At the time, I think we had a lot of options in attacking areas. Number 10s, wingers and he didn’t get as many opportunities for whatever reason but yes you could see the talent was there," Lampard was quoted as saying by the British website Metro.
Last July, Chelsea appointed Frank Lampard as their new manager, as owner Roman Abramovich turned to a familiar face rather than an experienced hand to replace Maurizio Sarri and lead the club into a new era.
Mohamed Salah, now 27-years-old, joined Chelsea in 2013, making only 19 appearances with limited playing time for the Blues in the 2013/2014 season under then-boss Jose Mourinho.
In 2014, Salah was loaned by the Blues to Italy Serie A side Fiorentina, scoring six goals in 16 games in the 2014/2015 season.
The following year, Salah was loaned again by Chelsea to another Italy Serie A, this time Roma, before he was permanently transfered to the Italian side by the end of that season.
In 2017, Salah joined Liverpool, signing a long-term contract with the Reds for an initial $50m, the fee was a club record.
"Unfortunately for Mo, it didn’t work out here (Chelsea) but it is great credit to him. He went to Italy and then came back and now he is a superstar," Lampard said.
"As for his path, it is hard to compare to what may have been. I had an overlap with him. The talent was obviously there," said Lampard, who played for the Blues that season alongside Salah during his short stint with the club.
"But the player that he is now or that came back to Liverpool I think you have to say huge credit is due. You don’t have to search for anything more than look at Mo himself. You have to say what professionalism and work ethic to leave a club like Chelsea is not easy. " the Chelsea boss said.
"People then cast you aside and say you won’t make it there. He went onto be the superstar he is now. It is completely credit to Mo himself." Lampard added.
With Salah who has bagged 75 goals in 111 appearances for Liverpool, the Reds are schedule to face Chelsea in the 6th matchday of the English Premier League on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.
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