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'Too early' to assess Mohamed Salah's performance: Chelsea insider Egyptian midfielder has not yet played enough games to judge his performance, say sources
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes it still too early to judge the performance of Mohamed Salah, a Chelsea insider source told Ahram Online. In February, Mourinho said Salah needed six months to settle and produce his best, adding: "It's important for the young Egyptian midfielder to come step-by-step and try to improve and adapt. This is a different world, a different quality of football to the one he comes from.” Salah, 21, joined Chelsea from FC Basel of Switzerland in January after the Blues beat Liverpool to sign him for £11 million. Even after seven months, the Portuguese coach still need some time to assess Salah, according to the source. “It will not be fair for Salah to be assessed as he did not have enough appearances with Chelsea,” he added. Since his signing, Salah played 11 matches, scoring twice and assisting in one goal. He scored his first Chelsea goal in March when the Blues beat Arsenal 6-0. In April, Salah scored to help bring his team a 3-0 win over Stoke City. The BBC described his performance as “inspiring.” “It is expected he will be given more chances to play and show his skills,” the source said. “He enjoys playing with Chelsea and has very good relation with his colleagues, but assessing his performance will take time.” According to insider sources, Salah is not in hurry. He is very aware that it will take some time for him to settle down so he is patient, a source very close to Salah told Ahram Online. The Egyptian international signed a five-and-a-half year contract with the Blues. It is widely believed that Salah has been acquired with an eye on the future, given how difficult it is for any young foreign players to make an immediate impact in new surroundings. Mourinho has said that playing at Stamford Bridge is not the same as playing for Basel. He also reassured his player that he is confident Salah will prove himself more in the new season. "I am calm and I'm telling him he has time because we have confidence in him. I think next season is Mohamed Salah's breakthrough season," Mourinho said. Fact Box: Salah at Chelsea Period since joining Chelsea: 8 months Contract: 5 and half years Games played: 11 Goals scored: 2 Assist to score: 1 Minutes played: 500 Shooting accuracy: 35% Yellow card: 1 http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/110616.aspx
