Mohamed Salah heads for new era with Egypt after rediscovering his mojo at Trabzonspor

Detailed summary

Mohamed Salah mania has hit Super Liga side Trabzonspor and the Egyptian forward appears to be relishing the adulation being showered on him over in Turkey.Salah, of course, was…

Mohamed Salah mania has hit Super Liga side Trabzonspor and the Egyptian forward appears to be relishing the adulation being showered on him over in Turkey.

Salah, of course, was also adored at previous club Liverpool but his finale on Merseyside was a frustrating one. He had a public falling out with manager Arne Slot, the final year of his contract cancelled, while also registering just seven premier League goals last season. His previous lowest tally at the club had been 18.

And so it was on to pastures new with Salah springing something of a surprise by deciding on the city of Trabzon in north-eastern Turkey for his next port of call – and a club that had just finished third in the league. They had won the Turkish Cup but had been title winners only once in the last 42 years.

“I am here to win. I want to win something with this club because you guys showed me so much love and I really, really appreciate that,” said Salah after fans flocked in their thousands to greet their new superstar signing.

The new season was off to chaotic start as Trabzonspor were thrashed 5-0 on aggregate in the play‑off round by Hungarian club Ferencvaros, which quickly resulted in the exit of manager Fatih Tekke. Thomas ​Reis arrived as his replacement two weeks later.

Despite the early change of coach, Salah hit the ground running with the 34-year-old scoring nine in 11 Super Lig matches – only Guft Orban at Amed SFK with 10 has more – as well as supplying three assists.

The first game under new German coach Reis saw Trabzonspor thrash reigning champions and previously unbeaten league leaders Galatasaray 4-0 with Salah grabbing a hat-trick and assisting the other in front of jubilant Papara Park.

“Having a player of his class in your ranks is a privilege,” Reiss said of Salah. “But the entire team closed down the spaces perfectly, both defensively and offensively.”

“We have not had easy weeks behind us,” Salah admitted. “This win has to be the benchmark for the coming weeks.” And that has…

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