Did Salah play for Chelsea? In short: yes, Mohamed Salah did play for Chelsea—but he wasn’t there long, and it was a mixed spell. In this article, BraeckBall will take you through exactly what happened: when he joined, how many games he played, what he achieved, and why it didn’t fully work out. If you’ve ever wondered did Salah play for Chelsea and what impact he had, you’re in the right place.
Early career and move to Chelsea
Mohamed Salah began his senior career in Egypt with Al-Mokawloon, before moving to FC Basel in Switzerland in 2012, where his performances drew wider attention.
Signing for Chelsea
- In January 2014, Chelsea paid around £11 million to bring him in.
- His arrival made him one of the first Egyptian players at Chelsea, adding to their diverse squad.
How many games, goals, and what role did he have at Chelsea
Once he signed, Salah’s time at Chelsea was limited; he didn’t immediately become a star there. But he did make contributions. BraeckBall breaks it down:
- Appearances: He made 13 Premier League appearances for Chelsea.
- Goals: He scored 2 goals in those Premier League matches.
- Other matches: Including cup competitions and other appearances his total for Chelsea rises a bit. Altogether, he played 19 matches in all competitions for the club, scoring 2 goals.
Notable moments at Chelsea
- His debut came shortly after the move, substituting into a Premier League match.
- He scored his first goal for Chelsea in a 6-0 rout over Arsenal, coming off the bench, which is pretty memorable.
- He also scored and assisted in a match against Stoke City, showing flashes of what he could do.
Why did things not fully click at Chelsea
While Salah had obvious talent, several factors meant his Chelsea spell didn’t lead to a long-term starring role there.
- Limited game time: Managers at Chelsea during his early time found it hard to give him consistent starts. He was often used off the bench.
- Loan spells: To get more playing time, Salah was loaned out—to Fiorentina in 2015 and then Roma. Those spells were productive and helped him rebuild momentum.
- Competition for places: In Chelsea’s squad, he competed with more established wingers and attackers. That, plus tactical decisions by the managers, limited his chances.
- Development curve: Part of the issue was just being young and still growing as a player; his best performances came later, especially after his time in Serie A and after joining Liverpool.
Post-Chelsea: Rise to stardom
Leaving Chelsea turned out to be a turning point in Salah’s career. BraeckBall maps out what came after:
- Loan to Fiorentina (2015) – Did well: goals, assists, more starts. A chance to showcase his qualities.
- Loan then permanent move to Roma – More stability, more playing time. He flourished, scoring goals and assisting, raising his profile.
- Signing for Liverpool (2017) – This is where everything clicked. He became one of the world’s best, breaking records, scoring at will, winning trophies.
Legacy of the Chelsea spell in Salah’s career
Though his time at Chelsea was short and not entirely successful by some measures, it still played an important role in his journey.
- It exposed him to the Premier League very early, giving experience in one of the most demanding leagues.
- Even limited, his performances hinted at his potential—his goals and flashes of brilliance were noticed.
- The loan spells that followed allowed him to develop confidence and skills that he later used to dominate in later clubs.
In many ways, the Chelsea chapter was a stepping stone—important not because of huge success there, but because it was part of the foundation that made the later success possible.
Frequently asked questions about Salah and Chelsea
Did Salah win any major honours with Chelsea?
No, not really in terms of big impact. He was part of the squad, but his contribution was limited; he did not become a key player for Chelsea’s trophies.
How many seasons was Salah at Chelsea?
About two seasons (2014-2016), including time spent on the books, though substantial playing time was shorter.
Does Salah ever talk about regrets at Chelsea?
He has spoken in various interviews about how some managers didn’t trust him early on, but he also acknowledges that the struggles taught him lessons. It’s part of his growth story.
Conclusion
Did Salah play for Chelsea? Yes—and while his time there wasn’t the peak of his career, it undoubtedly influenced his trajectory. Those 13 Premier League appearances and 2 goals, plus other matches, might be a small chapter, but they’re a part of the story of how Mohamed Salah became the force he is today.
If you enjoyed this look back, BraeckBall encourages you to dive deeper: check Salah’s stats at Roma, his record-breaking seasons at Liverpool, or comparisons to other players who had slow starts but later exploded in form. Want more: top 10 Chelsea “ever wondered” moments, or how Salah stacks up against other Premier League legends? Let’s explore together.
