02 Dec 2025 10:52:01
Its been confirmed Salah will depart for AFCON on the 15th December.
So the question is, do we keep him on the bench or do we start him?
Personally I would keep him on the bench. This will allow for a more cohesive unit in his absence. We need to plan for that and be in the right position to be able to keep trying to turn the corner. Obviously, him coming off the bench in games as well could have a big impact.
I ain't being disrespectful before anyone chimes in with that.
02 Dec 2025 11:28:14
I won't be upset either way as long as Salah gets replaced when he is ineffective rather than just keeping him on the pitch and hoping he does something. I'd personally be ok with bringing Salah in and replacing Macca with Dom in midfield. The problem is I don't see anybody in the squad who will tear it up at RW in Salah's absence. Playing Dom there made us far more solid defensively but he didn't offer a huge threat going forward.
Chiesa deserves a chance but I don't think that RW is his best position by a long shot. Wirtz is happy to drift over to the right so could he start there? I think that if Semenyo comes in then he starts at RW. Until then it's up for grabs by anybody (including Mo until he flies off) .
02 Dec 2025 11:34:02
I agree with that fully The Fields. Bench and impact sub. Let the team develop without him as part of the starting 11 for a bit until his return. It'll do it the world of good. IMO.
02 Dec 2025 11:34:06
I'm with you, Thefields. It won't please him, we all know that, but it should've been done weeks, if not months, ago.
02 Dec 2025 11:56:50
Yer I agree.
02 Dec 2025 12:01:46
He needs to stay on the bench, he’s going to be gone for weeks, I’m just waiting for him to spit his dummy out.
02 Dec 2025 12:15:18
Totally agree, has to stay on bench for time being. Maybe bring him on in second half against tired legs and make an impact that way.
02 Dec 2025 12:20:58
You're not being disrespectful you're just calling it as it is. For what it's worth I'd keep him on the bench.
02 Dec 2025 12:37:18
I agree, id expect some rotation from what Slot has said today, maybe give Chiesa a start for 60 mins or so then bring mo on.
In the past when he has come on with the arse on he generally does well.
02 Dec 2025 12:38:29
Pick the strongest 11. At this point in time, Salah drops out due to his bad form. Could start in a cup game perhaps.
02 Dec 2025 12:54:37
If it ain't broke, don't fix/ tinker with it, personally. Szobo playing on that right side gave Gomez licence to push up in attack while with Gakpo on the left, allowed Kerkez to alxo push up in attack, when required.
That provided the balance we needed for the whole team. We need to do what is working for the time being until it no longer works and then, change from there. To this end, Salah needs to hold bech/ come on before going to AFCON. The team comes first.
02 Dec 2025 13:12:15
Pick who's most ready for the game. They are coming thick and fast so Mo is definitely going to start some between now and when he heads off to the AFCON. I've no problem with that either, a refreshed Salah with something to prove is a dangerous animal.
02 Dec 2025 15:07:10
Going by what we've all seen so far from Slot, Salah will be starting. The only reason Slot benched Salah against WH is the fact that we play 4 games in 10 days.
Aside from WH's relatively poor quality, we won the game not because of Salah's absence but more due to our midfield (Gravenberch, Szoboszlai and Wirtz - the less said about Mac Allister the better) controlling the area well and linking up better than usual with the forwards.
02 Dec 2025 17:54:31
Is it just me or is Dec 15th super early for AFCON duty? I thought he usually doesn't leave until Jan?
02 Dec 2025 19:58:25
Seems early. It’s easier said than done to keep Mo on the bench as he’s such an icon, even though that’s probably the right thing to do. My guess is he’ll play tomorrow as it’s the path of least resistance for Arne, he can always take him off at half time if it’s not going well.
03 Dec 2025 02:29:32
AFCON is 3 weeks earlier this time around Snugs.