Former Tottenham coach talks Salah Ballon d’Or chances, Hossam Ghaly

Former Tottenham Hotspurs assistant manager, Gustavo Poyet, spoke about Mohamed Salah and his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.

The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is set to take place between 9 January 2022 and 6 February 2022 across five cities in Cameroon.

The tournament was originally scheduled to be played in June and July 2021 but the CAF announced on 15 January 2020 that due to unfavorable climatic conditions during this period, the tournament would be postponed.

Liverpool will be hit hard throughout the duration of the Africa Cup of Nations as they will be missing two key players which are Mohamed Salah who is representing Egypt and Sadio Mane who is playing for Senegal.

READ: Jay-Jay Okocha believes Liverpool can cope without Salah and Mane

Poyet believes that not having Salah will hinder Liverpool’s chances of lifting their second league title in three years.

“Manchester City, Chelsea or Liverpool, one of these three teams will win the Premier League this season, especially if Mohamed Salah remains at this level because he is now the best in the world. His influence in matches is better than Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mbappe, even if he does not score,” the Uruguayan told Al-Hayah TV.

“But Liverpool will miss Mohamed Salah in the Africa Cup of Nations and it will be an opportunity for Chelsea and Manchester City to collect some points at the expense of Liverpool.

“I think that Salah is above everyone at the moment in Liverpool, in terms of his performance, he is a great and exceptional player, Liverpool will be greatly affected by the loss of Salah,” he added.

Picking up from a 31-goal campaign last season, Salah has continued his great form in the 2021-2022 season already scoring 15 goals and providing six assists in 15 games, And Poyet sees him as a bigger contender for the Ballon d’Or than Messi and Ronaldo.

“Certainly you cannot vote for Messi or Ronaldo in the Ballon d’Or, perhaps Mbappe or Salah, but the latter certainly is the best,” he explained.

Poyet also coached former Al Ahly captain Hossam Ghaly during his time in England and recalls him being a great player.

“Hossam Ghaly for me, I don’t care about his problems with Martin Jol, he was a great play. He trained with Juan Ramos and I was an assistant coach, and he was great player. There were some conflicts and unfortunately he did not continue with the club, but he left a great impression,” he continued.