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Mohamed Salah arrival could help Paul Onuachu surpass 22-goal mark for Trabzonspor
Paul Onuachu has been backed to improve on his 22-goal Turkish Super Lig haul after Mohamed Salah joined Trabzonspor, with former club striker Emre Gural predicting that the Nigerian forward could benefit from the extra attention created by the Egyptian winger.
Onuachu enjoyed an outstanding 2025/26 campaign, finishing as the league’s joint top scorer after scoring 22 goals. His performances came during his first season after completing a permanent move from Southampton, and he quickly became the focal point of Trabzonspor’s attack.
The 32-year-old used his height, strength and finishing ability to lead the line as the club pushed for European qualification. His aerial threat and physical presence made him one of the most difficult forwards to contain in the Turkish top flight.
Gural believes Onuachu could be even more effective this season following Salah’s blockbuster move to the Turkish Cup winners. The former Liverpool player joined Trabzonspor earlier this week after bringing his nine-year spell at Anfield to an end.
Salah’s arrival has immediately made him the biggest attraction in the Turkish Super Lig. The Egyptian winger is expected to provide both goals and creativity, but Gural believes his influence could extend beyond his own contribution in front of goal.
In his view, Salah’s movement and individual quality should create more opportunities for Onuachu by making it harder for opponents to concentrate solely on the Nigerian striker.
Defenders will now face a difficult tactical decision when they play Trabzonspor. Committing several players to limit Onuachu’s influence could leave space for Salah, while focusing on Salah would give the Nigerian more room to exploit.
That prospect has raised hopes among Trabzonspor supporters that the pair can develop into one of the most dangerous attacking partnerships in the Turkish Super Lig this season.
Onuachu’s immediate task will be to exceed the high standard he set last term. After sharing the Super Lig Golden Boot with 22 goals, he has already demonstrated that he can flourish in Turkish football.
The prospect of Europa League football could provide further opportunities for the former Southampton striker, who will be expected to lead the attack as Trabzonspor compete on more than one front.
Salah’s arrival has therefore added a new dimension to expectations surrounding Onuachu. While the Egyptian will attract much of the attention, Gural’s prediction is that the space created by his presence could allow the Super Eagles striker to produce an even more prolific campaign.
The potential partnership between Salah and Onuachu is now one of the main reasons for optimism among Trabzonspor fans, with the club hoping their contrasting qualities can deliver more goals and strengthen their push for success this season.