Chelsea were crowned champions in 2015 but because Premier League rules stated only players who made five or more appearances would receive a medal, Jose Mourinho had an idea.
The Portuguese asked his club to purchase replica winners’ medals so that he could award those few who were not entitled, including the Egyptian who had been sent to Italy.
Mohamed Salah was on loan at Fiorentina and had contributed just three substitute appearances to Chelsea’s league-winning campaign, but Mourinho wanted one sent to him too.
‘Not all of them will get an official medal,’ Mourinho explained at the time.