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Osaze Odemwingie ‘shocked’ by Mohamed Salah’s move to Trabzonspor
Former Nigeria and West Brom striker Osaze Odemwingie says he was “shocked” by Mohamed Salah’s decision to join Trabzonspor in the Turkish Super Lig.
Salah moved to the 2021 Super Lig champions as a free agent after leaving Liverpool, where he had spent eight seasons. The Egypt international was attracting interest from several clubs, but Odemwingie believes only Salah himself can explain why he chose to continue his career in Turkey.
The transfer has become one of the biggest talking points of the current window, with the 34-year-old still regarded as one of the leading wide forwards in the game.
Speaking on Brila FM’s breakfast show No Holds Barred, Odemwingie said the initial news of Salah’s move caught him completely off guard.
‘My first impression was a shock.’ He continued, ‘I was surprised because I thought after Liverpool, he would go somewhere like, still, a big club because he still looks fit to play in the big leagues and for big clubs.”
Odemwingie was then asked whether he believed Salah still had enough quality to make a significant impact at Trabzonspor.
The former Premier League forward said he had no doubt that Salah remained capable of producing important performances, although he admitted he did not know the player’s physical condition or long-term plans.
‘I think there’s still some football in him.’I don’t know his body, his plans or how many more years he intends to play for, but, I’ll just watch and hopefully he still delivers in Turkey.’
Salah’s move follows his departure from Liverpool after eight seasons with the Premier League club. Despite his age, he remains widely considered one of the best players in his position and had been linked with interest from a number of teams before agreeing to join Trabzonspor.
Odemwingie’s reaction reflects the surprise surrounding the decision, particularly because he expected Salah to remain with a major club in one of Europe’s biggest leagues. Instead, the Egypt forward has chosen the Turkish Super Lig and will now attempt to continue his career with the 2021 champions.
Odemwingie played for West Brom, Cardiff and Stoke City during his Premier League career. He made 129 appearances in the competition, scoring 37 goals and providing 13 assists.
Although Odemwingie said he was surprised by Salah’s destination, he stopped short of questioning whether the forward could still perform at the highest level. His view was that Salah retained the ability to contribute, while acknowledging that the player’s fitness, ambitions and intended length of stay in football would ultimately determine what comes next.
