Chelsea urged to re-sign Mohamed Salah by Marcel Desailly amid Liverpool exit

Desailly urges Chelsea to re-sign Mohamed Salah

Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly has called on the club to consider a shock move to re-sign Mohamed Salah, after the Liverpool forward’s anticipated exit became one of the defining transfer stories of the summer.

Context: Salah’s Liverpool departure and Chelsea past

Salah, who joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017, has reportedly been the subject of intense transfer speculation. The Egyptian international previously spent two seasons at Chelsea between 2014 and 2016, making only 13 Premier League appearances before being loaned out and eventually sold. His time at Liverpool has seen him become one of the world’s most prolific attackers, scoring over 150 league goals and winning major honours including the Champions League and Premier League.

Desailly’s comments come amid reports that Salah is seeking a new challenge, with several European clubs linked. The 32-year-old’s contract at Anfield expires in 2025, but a summer move has been widely speculated. Chelsea, under new ownership, have spent heavily in recent windows, but a return for their former academy graduate would be a significant statement.

Impact: Tactical and emotional significance for Chelsea

Re-signing Salah would represent a dramatic shift in Chelsea’s attacking options. The club currently boasts a young forward line including Nicolas Jackson, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Cole Palmer. Salah’s experience, goal-scoring record, and proven Premier League quality would instantly elevate the team’s attacking threat. From a tactical perspective, his ability to play on the right wing, cut inside onto his favoured left foot, and link with a central striker could complement Chelsea’s fluid system under Mauricio Pochettino. Defensively, Salah’s pressing — often underrated — would align with Pochettino’s high-intensity approach.

From an emotional standpoint, Salah remains adored by Chelsea fans despite his short, unremarkable first stint. A return would generate enormous goodwill and potentially increase commercial revenue. However, critics question whether his age and likely astronomical wages make good business sense for a club still finalising its long-term recruitment strategy under the Clearlake Capital co-owners.

Transfer market context: fee and competition

Liverpool would demand a substantial fee for Salah, likely exceeding £100 million given his status and contract situation. That would eclipse Chelsea’s club-record fee (£115m for Enzo Fernandez) if a deal materialises. However, with several clubs — including Saudi Pro League sides — reportedly circling, Chelsea would face stiff competition. Salah’s wages, currently around £350,000 per week at Liverpool, would also be a factor. Financial Fair Play considerations may force Chelsea to balance the books with outgoings, potentially selling players such as Romelu Lukaku or Armando Broja to fund the move.

Comparatively, Chelsea have spent over £1 billion on transfers since the 2022 takeover, yet their attacking output has been inconsistent. Salah’s return would provide a proven goal threat that the current squad lacks — he scored 18 league goals last season and has consistently operated at elite levels for the last seven years.

Fantasy Premier League impact

If Salah were to join Chelsea, FPL managers would need to reassess their squads. Salah has been a premium FPL asset for years, with a starting price likely around £12.5m. His ownership would initially be split as some managers opt for other premium players. Chelsea’s favourable fixture run — if it aligns — could see Salah become a popular captaincy choice. However, his role under Pochettino, potential competition for penalties with Cole Palmer, and underlying numbers should be monitored before committing.

What’s next for Chelsea and Salah?

Desailly’s public suggestion adds to the noise surrounding Salah’s future. Chelsea face a decision: pursue a marquee re-signing that could transform them into title contenders, or invest in younger talents to build for the long term. Salah, meanwhile, must decide whether to return to the club where he once struggled or seek a new challenge elsewhere, possibly in Saudi Arabia. The coming weeks will clarify where one of the summer’s most compelling transfer sagas leads.

For now, the idea remains speculative. But with a legend like Desailly advocating — and Liverpool seemingly open to a sale — Chelsea cannot afford to ignore the possibility of bringing a genuine superstar back to Stamford Bridge.