Ex-Chelsea star reveals moment Jose Mourinho left Mohamed Salah 'in tears'

Former Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi has claimed that Mohamed Salah was reduced to tears by harsh Jose Mourinho treatment during his brief spell at Chelsea.

Salah joined the Blues from Basle for around £11m in January of 2014, but struggled to establish himself at Stamford Bridge, leaving just a year later.

The Egyptian made just 19 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, scoring two goals, and found opportunities to impress hard to come by.

However, after time in Italy with Fiorentina and Roma, Salah established himself as one of the finest wingers in European football and, of course, went on to fulfil his potential as a true footballing superstar at Liverpool after his 2017 transfer.

The 31-year-old is now a three-time Premier League Golden Boot winner and Liverpool's record Premier League and European goalscorer, and is set to go down in history as one of the club's modern legends. Yet the 'Egyptian King' was once left in tears in the dressing room at Chelsea, such were his initial struggles in English football.

Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, former Nigeria star Obi said: "He (Salah) was unlucky because Jose Mourinho, the manager at the time, didn't take any prisoners. It doesn't matter who you are, I remember a game away he had a go at Mo Salah at half-time and he was in tears, he was crying.

"We thought he was going to put him back on the pitch but he destroyed him and brought him off but that was his mentality back then.

"I don't think he would do that now, he has become more mature, he knows how to deal with younger players, that's how he got the best out of us then and that's why we were successful."

Meanwhile, on the same podcast, former Chelsea captain John Terry admitted regret at failing to take the right approach to help get the best out of both Salah and Manchester City star Kevin de Bruyne during their time at the club.

"It's my one disappointment as captain because I think I adapted over time, when those guys were there I was probably very strong, and very disciplined on the group," Terry said.

"That was probably the first sign where they needed an arm round the shoulder, a sit down, could I have maybe help them settle in? For those two players (De Bruyne & Salah) especially, to the levels they've gone to, I'm disappointed in myself as captain, that's a regret I have but I'm delighted they've gone on to be what they've been.

"I wouldn't have said they would reach the levels they have though (when they were at Chelsea) no chance."