Chelsea have made some howlers in the transfer market over the years, and Gary Lineker can’t let one mistake go.
Of course, the Blues have so many success stories they can reflect on, including the likes of Frank Lampard, Eden Hazard and Cesar Azpilicueta. However, there are plenty of huge failures to go alongside that as well.
Unsurprisingly, Chelsea’s all-time spending in football is more than any other club because they’ve been extremely active in the 21st century.
The turnover of the squad at Stamford Bridge has felt quite rapid across recent seasons. Hopefully, things are starting to settle now under Enzo Maresca because this young group needs time and backing to gel further.
Gary Lineker attends a Premier League match between Fulham and Manchester United.
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Gary Lineker recalls Chelsea selling Mohamed Salah
Chelsea’s decision to sell Mohamed Salah to Roma for £12m (Sky Sports) in 2016 must go down as one of their biggest regrets.
Salah couldn’t nail down a spot in West London, making just 19 first-team appearances for the Blues. The Egyptian right-winger eventually discovered himself as a player in Rome before joining Liverpool and becoming a superstar.
Club Appearances Goals Assists
Liverpool 411 248 116
Roma 83 34 21
Basel 79 20 14
El Mokawloon 45 12 6
Fiorentina 26 9 4
Chelsea 19 2 3
Mohamed Salah’s senior club career
It may still sting for people at Chelsea that Salah, 33, is currently one of the world’s best players.
Gary Lineker has spoken this week about the regret that the Blues may feel over the Salah saga, which is so much easier to look at with the benefit of hindsight.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Lineker said: “And one of those was Chelsea. Now, Chelsea’s probably the one part of his (Salah’s) career where it didn’t quite happen for him. I think[Jose] Mourinho also had [Kevin] De Bruyne at a similar sort of time, didn’t he?
“And both of those slipped through the net, didn’t they? I’m sure with big regrets from Chelsea’s side. I think it was Mourinho in charge at that moment.”
Jose Mourinho previously discussed Salah and De Bruyne leaving Chelsea, admitting that both left because they wanted to go and play regular football.
At the time, Salah and De Bruyne couldn’t force their way into Chelsea’s best XI, which was exceptional and winning Premier League titles. The legendary duo had to leave Stamford Bridge to go and achieve their incredible success elsewhere.
Mohamed Salah playing for Chelsea against Tottenham in the Premier League.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Mohamed Salah record vs Chelsea
Chelsea got the better of Liverpool and Salah before the international break, winning 2-1 at home in the league showdown. He’s certainly had his fair share of success against the Blues, though.
Appearances Goals Assists Wins Draws Losses
25 8 4 10 7 8
Mohamed Salah’s career record against Chelsea via Transfermarkt
Marc Cucurella explained Chelsea worked on Salah’s positioning before the recent win against Liverpool.
We’ll never know what would have happened if the African winger had stuck it out at the Bridge and tried to become a Blues regular, but he ultimately made the right choice with how his career has gone.