Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel feels Mohamed Salah struggled with the Blues because of Jose Mourinho's man-management at the time.

Salah is now regarded as among Africa's greatest ever players, but Obi Mikel says the Liverpool star struggled to handle Mourinho's demands.

"They were so unlucky that the boss, Mourinho, then didn't take any prisoners," Obi Mikel said on Obi One Podcast.

"If you weren't doing your job, it didn't matter who you were, he would have a go at you.

"He had a go at Mohamed Salah at half-time once and he was in tears crying. We thought 'OK, he's going to let him back on the pitch' but then he destroyed the kid and then pulled him off. But that was just his mentality back then but would Mourinho do that now? I think no.

"He's become older and more mature and knows how to deal with younger players, and players in general, a lot more now.

"I think that's just how he got the best out of us then and that's how we were when we were successful because of how he wanted us to play, train and behave as players."