- Controversy after winger twice refused to shake hands with Israeli players
- Happened in two Champions League qualifiers against Maccabi Tel Aviv
- Owner Roman Abramovich and Chairman Bruce Buck are both Jewish
- £11m Salah is dubbed 'the Egyptian Messi'
- Juan Mata on his way from Chelsea to Manchester United
Chelsea's £11million move for Egypt winger Mohamad Salah is mired in controversy after it emerged he has twice refused to shake hands with Israeli players.
Owner Roman Abramovich, chairman Bruce Buck and director Eugene Tenenbaum are all Jewish and will be concerned by Salah’s actions.
The Basle star, who will join Chelsea this weekend after completing a medical, refused to shake the hands of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s players in both legs of their Champions League qualifiers last year.
VIDEO Scroll down to watch Mohamed Salah refusing to shake hands with Israeli players
+5
Controversy: New Chelsea signing Mohamad Salah refused to shake Maccabi Tel Aviv players' hands in both Champions League qualifiers last year, instead using his fist
+5
Done deal: Chelsea have signed Basle's Mohamed Salah, who has scored twice against them this season
Before the clash with Maccabi at St Jakob-Park on July 30, Salah left his boots by the side of the pitch and avoided the customary pre-match handshake by going to the touchline to change into them. Basle won the game 1-0 and flew to Israel for the return leg on August 6.
Salah, 21, then avoided the customary handshake with Maccabi’s players before kick-off, but clenched his fist instead to make contact with each member of the opposition.
He went on to score his side’s second goal on the way to a 3-3 draw that ensured Basle qualified for the Champions League group stages under impressive coach Murat Yakin.
Salah’s actions will cause some discomfort to Chelsea’s hierarchy. Abramovich is a frequent visitor to Israel and sponsors many charitable causes in the country.
+5
Gazumped: Jose Mourinho's side beat competition from Liverpool for the £11m Egyptian forward
But Salah would counter any suggestion of anti-Semitism, saying he felt pressurised to appease some extreme sections of the Egyptian community.
Despite his controversial behaviour, Chelsea intend to press ahead and confirm his signing after the sale of Juan Mata to Manchester United for £37m. They have agreed a fee with Basle and the move will be completed as soon as Salah has passed a medical.
Salah is a regular in the Egypt national team and has scored 17 times in 27 appearances.
+5
On his way out: Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata will be allowed to leave the club by Jose Mourinho
He came to Chelsea’s attention last season with some mercurial performances in the Europa League against Tottenham and later against Rafa Benitez’s side in the semi-final, when he scored in the second leg.
Salah was also on target against Chelsea in both of this season’s Champions League group games against Jose Mourinho’s side.
During his career with Basle he scored 20 times in 78 games and his form in front of goal has helped him win a move to Stamford Bridge.
+5
Well-known threat: Salah also scored for Basle in last season's Europa League semi-final against Chelsea
How good is the £11m man?
If you can’t stop ’em, buy ’em, right?
Seems so. Chelsea lost home and away against Basle in the Champions League this season, with Salah on target in each game. He scored the only goal at St Jakob-Park having out-sprinted Branislav Ivanovic.
So, quick then?
Sure is. He is comfortable on either wing, has good balance, sound technique, dribbles well, goes past defenders, has terrific acceleration and is especially dangerous on the break. He also bears a passing resemblance in looks and busy style to Jermaine Pennant.
But he’s better than Jermaine Pennant, right?
There’s probably more purpose and end product, granted, and he gave Ashley Cole a torrid time at Stamford Bridge. Salah has responded to subsequent steps up in class through the European competitions.
So, why hasn’t he been snapped up sooner?
He has been heavily scouted by PL teams. Liverpool were keen but Chelsea have been able to scrutinise his progress since the teams met in last year’s Europa League semi-final.
By Matt Barlow
More...
- EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea beat Liverpool to sign £11m Basle forward Salah (and Jose knows all about him!)
- Eto'o proves dreams can come true: Striker's surprise for ill 10-year-old Nathan
- Essien set for Chelsea exit with agent talking to AC Milan over loan move
- Everyone's laughing at United! Opposing fans rejoice at glorious, calamitous and hilarious decline of Red Devils
original post found here:
No comments:
Post a Comment