Turkish football pundit Emre Güral has revealed how Mohamed Salah's arrival at Trabzonspor could directly benefit Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu, potentially leading to even more goals for the Nigerian forward in the upcoming season.
Salah's Move to Trabzonspor
Salah completed his transfer to Trabzonspor after leaving Liverpool at the end of his contract, following nine years at the English club. The Egyptian winger attracted interest from clubs in Italy and Turkey but ultimately chose Trabzonspor over rivals Besiktas. His arrival is expected to raise the club's profile both on and off the pitch, with significant social media and financial implications.
Pundit's Analysis
Emre Güral, a former Trabzonspor figure, believes Salah's threat will force opposing defenders to shift their focus away from Onuachu, creating more space for the Nigerian striker. Speaking to Turkiyegazetesi, Güral explained: "Paul Onuachu will now receive the ball in a much different way and create different positions. Onuachu will create more space because the opposing team's players will focus on Mohamed Salah. Onuachu is a very good striker with consistency in scoring goals."
Güral added: "So, if he finds a little more space thanks to Salah, he can score many different goals. A player like Salah is a plus for any team. When Salah attacks, the opposing team will be forced to try to take precautions. Otherwise, Salah will finish the match himself. I think that if precautions are taken against Salah, players like Onuachu will find more space."
Onuachu's Record-Breaking Season
Onuachu enters this new dynamic after an outstanding 2025/26 campaign, where he claimed both the Turkish Super Lig Goal of the Season award and the Golden Boot, finishing with 26 goals. According to Tribal Football, he shared the Golden Boot with Eldor Shmurdov. This achievement mirrors that of compatriot Victor Osimhen, who also won the Golden Boot the previous season with 26 goals and led Trabzonspor to the cup title with two goals in the final.
Impact on Trabzonspor
Onuachu is now regarded as one of the most reliable scorers in Turkish football, and Güral believes Salah's presence could push his numbers even higher. The partnership is expected to be a major threat to opposing defenses in the Turkish Super Lig and European competitions.
Reactions and Criticism
However, not all reactions have been positive. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher criticized Salah's move, suggesting that the Turkish Super League is below Salah's caliber and that he could have joined a club in Italy, where he had options. Despite this, Trabzonspor fans are excited about the prospect of seeing Salah and Onuachu play together.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Trabzonspor to see if the Salah-Onuachu partnership can deliver the goals and silverware that the club and its fans crave.
