Mohamed Salah: Proving The English Game Isn't For Everyone

Introduction:

Mohamed Salah has been heavily criticised as a footballer since joining Chelsea for a fee of around £11 million in January 2014. Despite the price tag, and the huge accolades that he came to the country with, Salah had only made 19 appearances in the first 12 months of his Chelsea career with 9 of those being used as a substitute. Salah has averaged a goal to game ratio at Chelsea of 1 goal every 9.5 matches. Compared to his current revitalisation at Fiorentina and his illustrious international goal scoring record considering he is  22 years old. It's only now that Salah's potential is shining through only 7 games into a new club in a new country with a complete variation of style in both play and culture. His pace and trickery are certainly his key attributes, however he is now shining promise of an eye for goal with 6 goals in his first 7 appearances for the Florence-based side.

Fiorentina Career:

Salah joined Fiorentina on loan from Chelsea until the end of this season as part of the deal to bring Juan Cuadrado to Stamford Bridge on the 2nd of February. Since then Salah has played 7 matches for the Florence side with 3 of them featuring as a substitute. In that time Salah has scored 6 goals including a double in a 2-1 win away at Juventus in the Coppa Italia to end Juventus' 42 match home unbeaten streak and gives Fiorentina strong chance of making the final. Salah has certainly impressed with Jose Mourinho being heavily criticised about letting the Egyptian go out on loan.

Egypt & Basel Career:

Salah was first recognised in this country after impressive performances against both Chelsea and Liverpool which gave Salah a good reputation despite only being 20 at the time. Like his Fiorentina record Salah is already the 9th top goalscorer in their countries history. He has managed to score 20 goals in 35 caps despite only being 22 years old and not a natural striker.  He played for Basel prior to his move to Chelsea after coming through their youth set-up . He played professionally at Basel from July 2012 until January 2014 scoring 13 times in 87 matches.

Other Players To Struggle In England:

Salah is certainly not the first player to struggle in England after coming from abroad. Roberto Soldado came to Tottenham from Valencia for £26 Million in August 2013. In his 19 months at Spurs he as only managed 16 goals in 70 matches despite previously having a record at Valencia of 76 goals in 128 appearances. Andrei Shevchenko is one of Ukraine's greatest ever players. He joined Chelsea in May 2006 after a 7 year stint with AC Milan. He left Milan for £30 Million and an incredible reputation but like Salah and Soldado, he struggled in the English game. Prior to his English experience he had scored 157 times in 269 matches for Milan. However, for Chelsea Shevchenko struggled a lot more scoring only 22 times in 77 appearances. These are just the two of the biggest names who didn't quite live up to expectations from a very long list, There are many potential factors that differ English football from any other countries format: No winter break, weather inconsistencies, more matches, higher expectations, different language as well as many others. I feel that fans are let down and disappointed when a highly rated player fails to deliver after a big money move but the fact is that so many top class footballers are afraid of coming to this country in case they ruin their career.

Mourinho & The Future:

When Salah returns from Florence, Jose Mourinho will certainly have a lot to think about. As well as having the equivalent of another squad out on loan there are some serious potential on Chelsea books which will seriously give Mourinho food for thought. As well as having to decide whether Salah is able to provide anything to Chelsea he will seriously have to see how the contribution of Juan Cuadrado takes affect. He has already made 5 appearances for Chelsea without scoring and has not shown much difference in style to Salah and with a £26 million expectation to live up to is Cuadrado in serious jeopardy of falling under this curse? Mohamed Salah is proving the potential of being th greatest player in Egyptian History as well as a world-class talent, but is Chelsea really the right way to make Salah fulfil his real potential