Chelsea sign Mohamed Salah; Newcastle reject Cabaye bid from PSG

Salah, 21, caught the eye of Blues manager Jose Mourinho after scoring in both group matches against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League.

The highly-rated 21-year-old was expected to sign for Liverpool during the January transfer window but has instead put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

“I like the fact that he can play the same way our attacking players do, which is players with adaptability, to play right, left or behind the striker,” said Mourinho on Friday.

“He’s young, he’s fast, he’s creative, he’s enthusiastic. When we analysed him he looks the kind of humble personality on the pitch, ready to work for the team and to work and to adapt himself to a new life.

“We think with him and André Schürrle, Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian we will be fine. We lose an experienced top player like Juan Mata but we bring in a young player with great potential.

“Willian did that transition from his previous world to the top world of football. Hopefully, if Salah comes, he can do the same. He has some experience in Europe, the Europa League, Champions League, so he’s not a naive boy arriving in the jungle.

“Hopefully he comes and hopefully with the talented players we have around in the same positions we all can develop together.”

Salah, who has scored three goals in four career matches against Chelsea, has been assigned the No. 15 shirt.