Frank Lampard claims Mohamed Salah flopped at Chelsea because the team had a large number of attacking options at that time.
Salah joined the Blues in 2014 from Basel but failed to shine as then manager Jose Mourinho had a lot of different options to choose over him like Oscar, Eden Hazard, Andre Schurrle, Willian, Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba.
The star forward was loaned out to Fiorentina and then to Roma, who bought him in 2016 and that is when his career finally took off.
The 27-year-old’s stunning form in Italy led to a £37million return to the Premier League for Liverpool where he has scored 75 goals in 112 appearances and is now considered one of the best players in the world.
Lampard, who played with the Egyptian for six months at Chelsea, believes it is unfortunate that he couldn’t stand out at Stamford Bridge but admires the way he picked himself up and found another way to superstardom.
The Chelsea legend insists his talent was always evident but the competition he was facing for a spot in the starting line-up was overwhelming at the time.
Lampard said: “Unfortunately for Mo, it didn’t work out here but it is great credit to him.
“He went to Italy and then came back and now he’s a superstar.
“As for his path, it’s hard to compare what might have been. The talent was obviously there.
“At the time, I think we had a lot of options in attacking areas.
“Number 10s, wingers, and he didn’t get as many opportunities for whatever reason, but yes, you could see the talent was there.
“But the player that he is now, or that came back to Liverpool, I think you have to say huge credit is due.
“You don’t have to search for anything more than look at Mo himself.
“You have to say what professionalism and work ethic, to leave a club like Chelsea is not easy.
“People then cast you aside and say you won’t make it there.
“He went on to be the superstar he is now. It is completely credit to Mo himself.”
Salah will be facing his former team when Liverpool take on Chelsea on Sunday (4.30pm) at Stamford Bridge.
