English Premier League
Mohamed Salah warned of high expectations after Trabzonspor move
Former Trabzonspor midfielder John Obi Mikel has warned Mohamed Salah that the Egyptian forward will need to maintain outstanding performances to keep the club’s passionate supporters on his side.
Salah joined Trabzonspor on a free transfer after his Liverpool contract expired at the end of the season. His arrival prompted an extraordinary reception, with thousands of fans gathering at the airport after the Turkish club announced the deal.
Mikel, who also previously played for Chelsea, said Salah would receive enormous support in Trabzon, but cautioned that the city’s football fans can change their attitude quickly if performances and results fall below expectations.
Speaking to Turkish newspaper Sabah in comments reported by Nigeria’s Daily Post, Mikel discussed the excitement surrounding Salah’s move.
“Salah has his reasons for moving there. Is it about football or financial incentives? If we are talking about money, Saudi Arabia would certainly have been the better option,” he said.
“Trabzonspor is a great club, and the people there are passionate about football. It is a city that lives for football.”
Mikel said the welcome received by Salah was remarkable even by Trabzonspor’s standards. Thousands of supporters turned out to greet the former Liverpool player, while his presentation attracted a huge crowd.
“This time was different; thousands of people came out to welcome Mohamed Salah, and it was truly amazing. I think the entire stadium was full when he was presented. It was unbelievable, and the club’s social-media accounts also saw a huge increase,” he said.
The former Nigeria international also suggested that the club might need to make adjustments to its facilities to meet the requirements expected by a player of Salah’s stature.
“Knowing the club, I know the quality of the training pitches, the changing rooms and the shower areas, and they may need to make some adjustments for Mohamed Salah,” Mikel said.
However, Mikel’s main warning concerned the level of scrutiny Salah will face once competitive football begins. He said Trabzonspor’s supporters would treat the Egypt captain like royalty if he performs well and helps the team win, but would not be influenced by his status or previous achievements if standards drop.
“Without taking anything away from Trabzonspor, it is a great club with an amazing fan base, and the people responsible for the club and the city deserve praise. The people of the city will treat you like a king if you are playing well and winning games. But they turn on you quickly, and they do not care who you are or where you come from,” he said.
Mikel ended by expressing his hopes that Salah and his family would enjoy their new life in Turkey.
“I hope things go well for him and his family, that they feel comfortable and enjoy the city. Because one thing is certain: if he continues to perform well and play brilliantly for this city, they will absolutely love him,” he said.
