Written by By Staff Writer
Mo Salah “is the most underrated footballer in the Premier League history,” according to NBC Sports commentator, Duncan Castles, the author of the new book, “El Greco: The Rise and Fall of the King of Cops”, and ‘The Crown Jewels: The Rise and Fall of the Royal Family.’
Castles, speaking at the launch of his book in London, told CNN Style that the significance of Salah’s “extraordinary season” goes beyond his individual accolades.
After spending last season on loan with Liverpool and Roma, Salah — who is currently engaged in injury rehab — made the move back to England and has had a rousing debut season with the Premier League champions.
Castles said Salah is “fearless” and describes his press conference antics as “stunning” and “exciting to watch.”
“He wants to talk at length. He has never been shy in getting involved in press conferences, that is a quality that I think has set him apart,” said Castles.
Salah appeared “exceptionally tense,” during his Liverpool press conference on Wednesday, according to the Independent, and the publication goes on to report that the Egypt international said he was “very emotional” during his Liverpool debut.
Egyptian forward Mo Salah has become the Premier League’s top scorer with 28 goals in 2017-18 season. Credit: Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty Images Europe
Salah is currently second in the Premier League scoring chart with 28 goals for Liverpool, behind Harry Kane.
He was part of the Egypt side that lost to Portugal in the World Cup in Russia this year and finished second at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
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When asked if Salah’s swashbuckling play style is unique in the current Premier League, Castles said “certainly in history.”
There have been cases where teams have felt their opponents wouldn’t be up for the physical aspect of a game. “But that was done purposely by the manager, so that they could play aggressive, individualistic, how can you say, [ideal] football,” he said.
Since his arrival at Anfield, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has pledged to use Salah as a playmaker. Castles said “you cannot expect them to play with the same speed in that position, the same intensity as they do in attack.”
Salah arrived on Merseyside after a year at Chelsea. Credit: Ian Hodgson/PA Images via Getty Images
Salah could not be reached for comment, but when asked on the eve of Egypt’s World Cup opener in Russia if he hopes to be remembered as a world-class player in the coming years, he replied: “Definitely. It’s my goal to win [the World Cup]. But my focus is on Egypt and to win the game tomorrow. That’s my only aim. We will see after that what happens.”