Mohammed Salisu arrived at Monaco from Southampton in the summer of 2023 and through his debut campaign in the Principality, he never really recovered. Contending with an adductor injury, it took him until December to make his debut but in late February, just as he was re-discovering his rhythm, he was struck down with a hamstring injury. He recovered in time for the run-in but never fully established himself. However, like Folarin Balogun, who joined Les Monégasques in the same summer, Salisu is enjoying a much more fruitful second campaign at the Stade Louis II.
This season, Salisu has been absolutely imperious. Like every other player in the Monaco squad, he has had to contend with the rotation of line-ups, given the quick run of matches, but when he has played, he has shown another level. He ranks sixth in Ligue 1 for percentage of aerial duels won, and first in Ligue 1, and in Europe’s top five divisions, for percentage of dribblers tackled; with the ball in the air or on the ground, the Ghana international has looked completely impassible at times this season.
Establishing himself as a key centre-back, not synonymous with a guaranteed starter in this stacked Monaco side, is no easy task. He is in competition with the brilliant Thilo Kehrer, promoted to vice-captain this season, as well as Wilfried Singo, arguably the best defender in Ligue 1. But he has certainly carved out a role for himself and constantly stakes a strong claim for more minutes.
Salisu acclimatises in the Principality
He is also admired by his manager, Adi Hutter, who now believes Monaco have the version of Salisu that they signed one year prior. “When he arrived, it was hard because he was injured. It took a long time and it was hard for Sali and it was hard for us too because we signed him to be a key player,” began Hutter.
He added, “What he has done since [the start of the season] has been amazing! He is the player we expected last season. What he has done since the winter has been amazing. He brings stability in the defence, which we saw against [Dinamo] Zagreb. He is a good header of the ball, tactically intelligent, he defends the box well. As a person too, he is very humble and he is a very important part of this group.” It may have taken him a year, but Salisu has certainly carved out a place for himself at the Principality club, even if the title of guaranteed starter eludes him, for now.
