Mohamed Salah

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

Although I understand why Salah started the match, I don't understand why he was left on the pitch in the second half.

The idea was obviously that Salah would be able to exploit any spaces left behind Swansea's defense line. That was not going to happen after they were a man down so early on. At that point on, composure was far more important than anything else. Andre would have been far more of a threat than Salah at this stage.

He wasn't bad or anything. He did miss a open net chance, but both Ba and especially Eto missed them too. Eto was absolutely ridiculous and sad esp for those like me who watched Liverpool and City's match few minutes before.

Judging on the first half performance, Salah was moving better than Schurrle and finding the right spots. The two BAD misses he had in the first half, came from him being in a good spot and ofcourse good passes. Schurrle by all means makes good runs, but he wasn't doing that in the first half as much as he usually does. I think that was why he stayed. Schurrle had nothing. Another thing is, I think it is wise to rest as much players as possible for the upcoming game. I know that the 3 points are crucial, but the difference between Salah's game and Schurrle's is not that big.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Although I understand why Salah started the match, I don't understand why he was left on the pitch in the second half.

Because he was the freshest of our attacking midfielders?

[Esam 60]

@Seif : I really don't get it! I know it was his first away game against an angry mob and he's not going to be WC at a glimpse of time but ...... he had a very cool finishing in the two matches before! and much better passing rate! it's confusing! he has tons of creativity but chose this day against ten players since the 15th min to make ppl question his decision making! why the hell was that?!

[Fernando 6,508]

Would be amazing if he scores against Liverpool!

[robsblubot 3,595]

@CHOULO, yeah maybe that was it.

Judging on the first half performance, Salah was moving better than Schurrle and finding the right spots. The two BAD misses he had in the first half, came from him being in a good spot and ofcourse good passes. Schurrle by all means makes good runs, but he wasn't doing that in the first half as much as he usually does. I think that was why he stayed. Schurrle had nothing. Another thing is, I think it is wise to rest as much players as possible for the upcoming game. I know that the 3 points are crucial, but the difference between Salah's game and Schurrle's is not that big.

Right, but I don't rate any of our strikers, so having a player like Andre, who can score from distance (as he has), could've been important in a game where the opponent was defending in their own half.

It was a horrible performance against a very poor opponent. We were very fortunate to have gotten the 3 points. Swansea only got like 3 good players and that's pretty much it. What a terrible defender Williams is: so poor on the ball... Swansea want to play possession, but you can't do that with defenders like that.

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

@Seif : I really don't get it! I know it was his first away game against an angry mob and he's not going to be WC at a glimpse of time but ...... he had a very cool finishing in the two matches before! and much better passing rate! it's confusing! he has tons of creativity but chose this day against ten players since the 15th min to make ppl question his decision making! why the hell was that?!

Well the first, Salah is not different from any young player at Chelsea. Like Oscar, Schurrle and Hazard, very young. It will take time till he matures as a football player and for him to find his form. He will go, like any youngster in the world, through inconsistency phases. It is quiet normal brother. The important thing is that he keeps progressing. He is a good kid and a smart one. He believes in himself and is hungry. Check out his miss against Newcastle on his debut. He was mad at himself for that miss. Check his reaction every time he misses or feels he should have done better. The kid believes he can do better and wants to. Such a character will succeed. All in good time

As far as people's reactions are concerned, well it is really ok. You know how we as Egyptians react when someone misses a shot or an easy chance . The English, French, Brazilians, all football fans are kind of the same. It is the beauty of football or sports in general. After than win of Liverpool, all we need is for us to win our remaining games and for City to drop 2 more points (one draw). This means Chelsea against all odds will be the EPL champions this year. So it was really crucial for us to win those 3 points. If Salah scored his two good chances, fans would have been relieved. It is normal to have negative reactions. But look at the bright side, most fans here in the forum like the kid, have hopes that he might be something great and support him, while at the same time acknowledging that he needs to work on himself more. I trust this kid, but as I said, all in good time .

[Viper22 2,418]

Sat with my Man City fan at the pub watching the game yesterday, waxing lyrical about how Salah was a good player (very raw, but with tons of potential). Salah let me down a bit .

Gutted that he had a poor game (sorry but he did), but I have faith that he'll get better (he was getting into lots of good positions after all), hopefully will get a few more matches experience before the end of the season and in pre-season so he'll be quality from the start of next season.

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

@CHOULO, yeah maybe that was it.

Right, but I don't rate any of our strikers, so having a player like Andre, who can score from distance (as he has), could've been important in a game where the opponent was defending in their own half.

It was a horrible performance against a very poor opponent. We were very fortunate to have gotten the 3 points. Swansea only got like 3 good players and that's pretty much it. What a terrible defender Williams is: so poor on the ball... Swansea want to play possession, but you can't do that with defenders like that.

If you mean horrible performance regarding Salah, I would disagree. He did well, but not great. If you mean a horrible performance as a team, I still disagree . It has been our problem all season long that we have a poor chance to goals ratio. We tend to miss a lot. For a moment forget about the two chances in the first 15 mins wasted by Salah. We had many other chances. Two of them should have been really simple for Eto if he was on his normal day and a third pass that Eto just stopped. Watch the highlights again, you will see what I am talking about. If we took our chances we would have won this by at least 3 goals if not more. Nothing against Schurrle, but it is not like he takes a lot of shots and scores consistently from long ranges. By all means he can and he has a good shot, but it is not like he has been doing that a lot. Well anyways, I can't say what might have been if Schurrle was on and Salah was out. We will never know really. I am glad we got the 3 pts at the end.

[Muzchap 8,966]

Just wow - some of you guys need to go back and read the things you have written. He scores he's the new Egyptian al-masih...

He misses a few chances, has an average game - he's rubbish...

This lad is used to playing week in / week out - being asked to deliver on demand as part of 'rotation' is a hard thing to master and separates the top players from good players... This is why Mourinho said he's not ready yet. But he will be!

Give the lad a break - nobody exactly 'shone' yesterday - so why is he being singled out?

[robsblubot 3,595]

If you mean horrible performance regarding Salah, I would disagree. He did well, but not great. If you mean a horrible performance as a team, I still disagree . It has been our problem all season long that we have a poor chance to goals ratio. We tend to miss a lot. For a moment forget about the two chances in the first 15 mins wasted by Salah. We had many other chances. Two of them should have been really simple for Eto if he was on his normal day and a third pass that Eto just stopped. Watch the highlights again, you will see what I am talking about. If we took our chances we would have won this by at least 3 goals if not more. Nothing against Schurrle, but it is not like he takes a lot of shots and scores consistently from long ranges. By all means he can and he has a good shot, but it is not like he has been doing that a lot. Well anyways, I can't say what might have been if Schurrle was on and Salah was out. We will never know really. I am glad we got the 3 pts at the end.

I meant the team and I agree Shalah did well. Although I'd not play Salah so often at this moment... yes because he's so young and I believe composure/experience is more important in the final games of the season. Pressure should not be put on young players at thsi time. Again, I thought Andre's long shooting was more important then than any ability to get into positions.

Agree to disagree then (on the performance). The commentator on TV said, and rightfully so, that although Chelsea would prob end up winning the match, we are not a side that can take this type of advantage (in numbers) and really hurt the opponent. Yes, the strikers are very poor, but it's not just that. It's the system and some players. People who are expecting to win the league easy next season with (far) better striker options are going to get a reality check.

I personally think Mourinho's system (Scolari's and a number of other head-coaches) of low defense line, high pressure to cause opponent's mistake is best suited for cup competitions. The defensive solidity of these type of systems don't help you so much in long championships. Case in point: Liverpool... Discussion for a different thread though.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

He's definitely a Mourinho guy. You can tell Mou likes the kid a lot, as evident by his celebration when he scored v Arsenal.. So I don't think it'll bother Jose one tiny bit that he didn't "shine" yesterday. Exposure is what he wants Salah to have right now.

[Esam 60]

Would be amazing if he scores against Liverpool!

Amen to that!

[LukakutoStamford 779]

Egyptian Lennon for me ATM. Loads of speed but technique is patchy.

[Special Juan 27,597]

Egyptian Lennon for me ATM. Loads of speed but technique is patchy.

Can't see how he can be compared to anyone due to the little football he has played.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Egyptian Lennon for me ATM. Loads of speed but technique is patchy.

It's amazing how people will look past the fact that he got into the right positions, beat plenty of players in the game just because his finishing was off. I'm pretty sure that if he scored one of his chances and that if Eto'o had his shooting boots on (he would have easily had two assists in that game) people wouldn't be saying stuff like this.

This is very annoying, sorry.

[remains of the day 564]

Egyptian Lennon for me ATM. Loads of speed but technique is patchy.

I’m just as surprised as Skipper to read this. How can anyone dismiss his talents or place any limits on his potential based on two starts? It’s not as if he even performed poorly. In both of those starts the kid got into great goal scoring positions, created a handful of chances for his teammates, showed great skill and ball control in tight areas. Even scored a cracking goal against Stoke and against Swansea, was overall the best attacking player on the pitch. Stats wise he received the highest rating on whoscored for his performances in both starts.

Are we actually going to ignore all of these things and just focus exclusively on the missed chances?

[LukakutoStamford 779]

The problem with Salah so to speak is that he's great pushing the ball but when he required to play the intricate touch he's lacking. It doesn't mean he's horrible by any stretch but he not going to be the guy to make the 40 yard run then make the incisive pass or delicious skilled dribble to get 1 or 2 guys.

His game works for industry and to create gaps from pace but his final 3rd work isn't good enough.

[The Skipper 20,593]

The problem with Salah so to speak is that he's great pushing the ball but when he required to play the intricate touch he's lacking.

You need to watch him more often then. Salah is very good in tight spaces, he showcased that at Basel, and showcased it internationally at Egypt, and also showcased it in our last game in periods and did so too against Stoke, Swansea and Arsenal.