Former Bayern Munich and Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has delivered a wide-ranging assessment of some of European football’s biggest talking points, from Mohamed Salah’s future at Anfield to Kobbie Mainoo’s stalled role at Manchester United – and even why Antoine Semenyo should stay well away from right-back duties.
Hamann’s most eye-catching comments centre on Mohamed Salah, whose long-term future at Liverpool remains uncertain.
Why Hamann thinks Salah and Liverpool should part ways
“Mo Salah could have gone to Saudi Arabia last season and didn’t. I’m not sure he wants to go there,” Hamann said to BetGoat. “But if you ask me today, the best solution would be to part ways. It would probably benefit him and the team.”
Hamann suggested that Salah’s public comments last season created unnecessary noise around the squad.
“He came out with statements I didn’t really understand, and if he stays, it lingers around the camp. Every time he doesn’t play, the manager gets asked why, and it becomes a distraction.”
That view is not about blaming Liverpool’s struggles solely on their talisman. Hamann was clear on that point.
“There have been poor performances without Salah as well, so it’s unfair to put it all on him. But Salah’s quote about not wanting to have to prove his worth every day struck me. That is exactly how it is.”
Can Salah and Florian Wirtz coexist?
Liverpool’s evolving attack is central to Hamann’s thinking, particularly with elite talent being added.
“When you bring in players like Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz, and you have Cody Gakpo, you have to fight for your place regardless of the past.”
The key question, Hamann argued, is whether Salah would accept rotation at the highest level.
“Is Salah prepared to sit on the bench for a few games if the manager feels someone else is better, even if it’s a Champions League semi-final or final? If not, it’s probably best to part ways.”
Still, Hamann does not see a tactical incompatibility between Salah and Wirtz.
“I don’t see why Salah and Wirtz can’t work together. Salah found it hard to score from open play since Christmas last year. The question is how much Salah is still capable of affecting games. He is 32 or 33 now; with offensive players, six months can make a huge difference.”
Mainoo “good enough to start” for the Premier League elite
Hamann was far more puzzled – and clearly frustrated – when discussing Kobbie Mainoo and his situation at Manchester United.
“I was very surprised with the Kobbie Mainoo situation because when I saw him break through at Man United and then in the Euros, it was just a breath of fresh air. A very clever player.”
Hamann believes Mainoo’s talent level is beyond debate.
“To not find a place for such a young kid at Manchester United – with the struggles they have at the moment – really flabbergasted me. If he did decide to move away from Old Trafford, he would be good enough to start for Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester City.”
Even if not a guaranteed starter, Hamann sees Mainoo as a core squad player anywhere.
“He should be one of the first 13 or 14 players – probably the first option off the bench. Not to play a role for Man United, with how bad they’ve been for the last 18 or 24 months, really did surprise me.”
Angelo Stiller and what United have lacked for a decade
Hamann also highlighted Angelo Stiller as a profile United have sorely missed.
“He is a very smart player. He is a ball winner, anticipates the game well, and is left-footed – there aren’t too many left-footed central midfielders.”
More importantly, Hamann believes Stiller elevates those around him.
“United have been lacking players who make other players better for probably the last 10 years. That has been their downfall. I think Stiller is one of the ones who does that.”
Why Semenyo should stay far from right-back
Finally, Hamann weighed in on Antoine Semenyo and his expected impact at Manchester City.
“I’m pretty sure he will be a success because I think he is just too good a player not to make an impact at Manchester City.”
But one role, in Hamann’s view, makes little sense.
“I’m not too sure about him as a right-back. The further up the pitch he is, the better he is. Up front, on the wing, or even up top, he can play pretty much every position – but I don’t see him as a full-back.”
Pep Guardiola has reinvented players before, Hamann acknowledged, “but with him, I can’t really see that.”
Do you agree with what the former German star had to say? Let us know in the comments.
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Mitchello2
0
Exactly who is mainoo benching at CFC or city? Not to talk about arsenal these pundit clearly high as day
pocabemoy
0
he is a fart
pocabemoy
0
thanks didi I dont understand that coach that said he must prove himself wait for his turn and make no mistake he had support with that stupid decision of his. I always thought what convinced united to employ this guy. what was on his cv for a big club like united that wants to compete at the highest level to employ him. anyway good riddance
Tocilostyz
0
Salah is finished
Medbekrtu
3
A player who scores goals to bring fame to his club and himself is Legend. So is Salah and should never be told to move to other clubs. He should remain in his club to continue coaching to develop young players.
Heikal_Mahsir
2
Just shut up, u fucking scouser.