‘Time is catching up with him’ – Chris Waddle warns Mohamed Salah may struggle in Turkey

Chris Waddle has warned that Mohamed Salah could struggle to adapt to life in Turkey following his surprise move to Trabzonspor.

Salah completed a free transfer to the Turkish club last Tuesday, signing a two-year contract in one of the most unexpected moves of the year. His arrival was met with a spectacular reception, with tens of thousands of passionate supporters turning out to welcome the Egyptian superstar.

The transfer brings an end to Salah’s remarkable nine-year association with Liverpool, where he scored 257 goals and cemented his status as one of the club’s greatest modern players. During his time at Anfield, the 33-year-old won every major trophy available to him.

However, Waddle believes Salah’s next chapter could present a different kind of challenge, particularly given his age and reliance on pace throughout his career.

“I think he’s looked at his options and what Trabzonspor put on the table was the next best deal after what Saudi offered him, and he’ll enjoy it in Turkey, and he’ll be on a fortune.”

Pace could become a concern

The former England international believes Salah’s ability to make an immediate impact in the Turkish Super Lig remains uncertain, with several clubs capable of challenging Trabzonspor.

“Now whether he’s going to make the difference to them winning the league or a cup, that’s to be seen, but it’s certainly been a surprise. Everyone was questioning whether he’d be moving to Saudi Arabia or Major League Soccer, and looking at those options may have been the way for him to go.”

Waddle’s biggest concern centres on whether Salah can maintain the physical level required to thrive in a league he expects to be more demanding than some may assume.

“Salah is already 33 and he has relied on his pace for much of his success during his career and time is catching up with him so it’ll be interesting to see how he copes with the Turkish Super Lig because there are a few teams who are better than Trabzonspor, and it can be a hard league.”

Nunez reunion offers major boost

Despite his reservations, Waddle believes Salah deserves credit for taking on a fresh challenge and expects him to enjoy his new surroundings.

“But listen, good luck to him. He’s getting paid well, he’s in a league which is more competitive than a lot of people expected when he left Liverpool, and we’ll see how he fares with the challenge.”

The move is particularly striking given that Salah was only 18 months ago celebrating a lucrative two-year contract extension at Liverpool, famously sitting on a throne in the middle of the Anfield pitch.

Now, he faces the task of competing for the Turkish Super Lig title, with a familiar face set to join him.

Former Liverpool teammate Darwin Nunez has also moved to Trabzonspor, giving the club a formidable attacking partnership and Salah an old ally as he begins an entirely new chapter away from Merseyside.