Salah ‘Did Not Get His Chance’ At Chelsea – Eden Hazard

Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard says former team mate and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah did not get the chance to establish himself at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Liverpool this Saturday, Hazard insisted he always knew how talented Salah was, adding that he is happy to see the spectacular rise the Egyptian has enjoyed since leaving Stamford Bridge.

25-year-old Salah joined the Stamford Bridge based club in 2014 but was limited to 19 appearances for the club before being sent out on loan to Fiorentina early the following year. He also spent a season-long loan at AS Roma before joining the Italian club permanently in 2016.

The Egyptian international returned to England after signing for Liverpool in July for £34.3m and is the competition’s top scorer with nine goals in 12 games this season.

However, Hazard insisted he always knew how talented Salah was, adding that he is happy to see the spectacular rise the Egyptian Forwrd at Anfield.

“He’s a top, top, top player,” said Hazard.

“He did not get his chance at Chelsea maybe because of the manager, because of the other players? I don’t know.

“He has quality but in that period I remember we had me, Willian, Oscar, so for him it was not easy.

“He is a fantastic striker and this season he has scored a lot of goals. It is always good to play against a friend but Liverpool is not only about Salah. They have a lot of quality players.

“In training he would do everything. Even in the games when he was playing, sometimes he would score goals, so we knew the quality he had. I am just happy for him.

“When you are not playing at a club you need to go. You need a chance and he took his chance at Fiorentina, so he did everything that you have to do when you are not playing. If I was not playing, I’d want to go. That’s normal because of all the players want to play.

“I watched him when he played for Roma, one of my friends from the national team, Radja Nainggolan, is also there and he did very well.”

26-year-old Hazard who has six goals in his name for the Blues this season also said he was looking forward to swapping his jersey with Salah as they reunite this weekend.