Former Chelsea defender Filipe Luís has said that Mohamed Salah possessed the ability to become one of the club’s greatest players during his time at Stamford Bridge, but believes his talent was not fully utilised.
Salah joined Chelsea FC in 2014 from FC Basel, arriving as a promising young winger. However, his opportunities in the first team proved limited, and he struggled to establish himself in a squad that included established attacking players such as Eden Hazard and Willian.
Reflecting on that period, Luís suggested that Salah’s ability was evident from the outset, particularly in training sessions, but that he did not receive the platform required to develop.
“If he hadn’t been ‘wasted,’ Salah could have become Chelsea’s Messi. I already knew how strong he was just by watching him in training. His talent wasn’t taken advantage of at that time by Mourinho.”
At the time, Chelsea were managed by José Mourinho, under whom Salah made only a limited number of appearances. Competition for places in attacking positions meant that the Egyptian international often found himself on the periphery of the squad.
Luís’ comments add to a long-running debate about Salah’s early career in England and whether his struggles at Chelsea were due to circumstance rather than ability. Despite showing glimpses of promise, Salah was unable to secure a regular starting role before moving on to revive his career elsewhere.
Following his departure from Chelsea, Salah’s trajectory changed significantly. He went on to establish himself as one of the leading forwards in world football, particularly during his time with Liverpool FC, where he has enjoyed sustained success and individual recognition.
Luís’ remarks highlight the contrast between Salah’s limited impact at Chelsea and his later achievements, suggesting that the environment in west London may not have been conducive to his development at the time.
The Brazilian defender’s recollection of Salah’s performances in training offers insight into how highly he was regarded behind the scenes, even if that potential did not translate into regular match appearances.
Salah’s spell at Chelsea remains a subject of discussion among fans and pundits, often cited as an example of a player whose early struggles did not reflect his true ability. Luís’ comments reinforce the view that, with different circumstances, the outcome might have been very different.
While Salah has since built a reputation as one of the game’s elite players, questions persist over whether Chelsea could have benefitted more from his talent during his initial spell in English football.
