Salah reveals why he rejected Mourinho’s request at Chelsea

Egypt forward Mohamed Salah has explained why he refused to stay at Chelsea despite coach Jose Mourinho’s plan to have him play in the Premier League before returning to the club.

According to Salah, Mourinho, who was the then Chelsea coach had asked the player to either stay at Chelsea or move to a club in England on loan so that he can return after to continue his stay with Chelsea.

Salah joined Chelsea in 2014 for a reported fee of £11 million, but limited gametime led to successive loans to Fiorentina and Roma, who later signed him permanently for €15 million.

In the 2016-17 season, Salah was a key figure in Roma’s unsuccessful title bid, reaching double figures in both goals and assists. In 2017, Salah moved to Liverpool, a club record at the time.

Mourinho one of the best coaches

“I remember I had a conversation with Jose, and he’s a lovely guy. I love him. One of the best coaches I have had in my life, and our relationship is good now. So, I don’t want people to think that I’m hating him or something,” Salah told StanSport.

“No, I love him. And he told me, ‘I want you to stay or just go somewhere on loan, then come back, but in the UK because I want you.’ I said no. I want to see myself away now.

“There’s too much pressure on me. I want to go to Italy. I want to play there, and I don’t want to go on loan and come back to a club.”

Meanwhile, Salah has made a heartfelt plea to Liverpool supporters to provide Jordan Henderson with the “farewell he deserved” when the former captain returns to Anfield.

“He didn’t get that send-off or farewell he deserved, because he left immediately. People in the city know how much it meant to Hendo also, being here captain of the club for 12 years, more than me, more than Virg, more than anyone,” said Salah.

“I don’t know how the club is going to manage it, I have no plan, I don’t know how the supporters will also manage it.

“But I really wish they do something special for him because he’s been one of the best players in this club and, without him and being there in the dressing room, we wouldn’t have achieved what we achieved.”

Henderson is set to make his first appearance on the Anfield turf since his abrupt exit in the summer of 2023 when Liverpool face Brentford on the final day of the season.