Mohammed Salisu: Rising Star in Monaco’s Defense

After a challenging debut season marred by injuries, Mohammed Salisu has emerged as a formidable defensive force for AS Monaco in his second year with the club. The Ghanaian center-back, who joined from Southampton in 2023, initially struggled to make his mark due to persistent health issues. However, the 2024 season has seen Salisu transform into an indispensable part of Monaco’s backline.

Salisu’s performances have been nothing short of exceptional this season. He currently ranks among the top players in Ligue 1 for aerial duels won and leads both the French top flight and Europe’s major leagues in successfully tackling dribblers. This impressive stat line demonstrates Salisu’s ability to dominate defensively both in the air and on the ground.

Despite fierce competition from talented defenders like Thilo Kehrer and Wilfried Singo, Salisu has carved out a significant role for himself in Monaco’s squad rotation system. His consistent high-level performances have caught the attention of manager Adi Hutter, who praised Salisu’s impact on the team’s defensive stability.

Hutter commended Salisu’s remarkable progress since overcoming his initial injury setbacks, highlighting the defender’s tactical intelligence, aerial ability, and humble personality. The manager believes Monaco is now seeing the player they had envisioned when signing him a year earlier.

While Salisu may not yet be guaranteed a starting position in every match, his contributions have become invaluable to Monaco’s defensive setup. His journey from an injury-prone newcomer to a defensive cornerstone exemplifies perseverance and showcases the potential that Monaco saw in him upon his arrival in the Principality.