John Terry, the former captain of Chelsea, has expressed his regrets over the way he treated Mohamed Salah during the Egyptian’s time at the club. Salah, who is now a star player for Liverpool, had a difficult period at Stamford Bridge, managing only two goals and four assists in 19 appearances. However, he has since found success elsewhere, along with other players who struggled during their time at Chelsea, such as Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City.
De Bruyne sought first-team opportunities and eventually joined VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga before returning to the Premier League. Salah’s journey back to the English top flight included stints at Fiorentina and AS Roma before joining Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool, where he has become one of the most prolific goal-scorers in the league.
Reflecting on Salah’s time at Chelsea, Terry admitted that he feels disappointed in himself as captain for not providing more support to Salah and other players during their initial struggles. He acknowledged that he could have helped them settle in and adjust to the demands of playing in a new environment.
“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,” he said on the Obi One podcast.
“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.”
Terry also mentioned that language barriers were an obstacle for foreign players joining the team. To help them understand the football terminology used in training, he revealed that he provided a 20-word document with translations of key phrases like “man on,” “let it go,” and “one-two.” However, he acknowledged that his approach on the pitch may have been too harsh at times.
While Terry expressed his regrets over Salah’s struggles at Chelsea, he also acknowledged the remarkable success the Egyptian has achieved since leaving the club. Salah’s transformation into a world-class player serves as a reminder of the importance of providing support and guidance to young talents, especially when they face challenges in a new environment.