SALAH: "I know I must fight for a place"

Mohamed Salah has taken time out to reveal that he comes to Chelsea knowing that he will not just walk into the team, he needs to fight with everyone else for a place.

He said:

"Playing in Switzerland and for Basle is not like Chelsea, it’s more different.

I hope I can play better here, do more than I did at Basle and I do a good career for me.

He [Mourinho] said to me, ‘We need you, you’re a very good player and still young. Next year you will play more and will get better and better.

Now I am just concentrating on the pitch. It is not easy if you come to Chelsea and want to play, it’s not easy for anyone.

I will concentrate, work hard, do my work and we’ll see.

For everybody in Egypt this is a dream. To see one player playing in Chelsea, Manchester or Madrid, it’s not easy for Egypt people [to do that].”

I will be honest, I looked at the City defence on Monday night, especially in the second half, and thought to myself, "bring Salah on!" because I could see that his pace would frighten the life out of anyone in the Premier League let alone Man City.

It never happened because the players on the pitch performed superbly well and the manager decided it was not the right time to make his debut.

It's very interesting reading what Mourinho has said to him though isn't it. Next year he will be important and you will play more and get better and better?

We know he is cup tied and is unable to play in the Champions League until next season so I can see Mourinho using him more and more towards the latter part of our season. Maybe he will be heavily involved in games where Mourinho is planning the next game and decides to replace them after an hour or so in games. Players such as Oscar, Hazard and Willian.

The good thing is that he is prepared to come here and work hard. That's all you can ever ask for from a new signing.

Carefree & KTBFFH!