Mohamed Salah: Chelsea midfielder will NOT have to serve military service after Egyptian Prime Minister steps

Salah's future at Chelsea looked to be in the balance after his enrolment in an education program was rescinded

Mohamed Salah will not have to serve military service in Egypt (Getty Images)

Chelsea midfielder Mohamed Salah will not have to return to Egypt to serve military service after the Egyptian Prime Minister stepped in to resolve the matter, according to reports.

Salah’s future at Stamford Bridge appeared to be in the balance on Saturday when reports in his homeland revealed he could be forced to return to the North African country after his place in an education program was rescinded, meaning he was no longer able to travel abroad.

However, a meeting between Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, the Minister of Higher Education and the Egyptian national manager Shawky Gharib saw Salah’s situation discussed, and Egyptian news outlet King Fut is reporting that the 22-year-old will no longer have to return home to join his country’s armed forces.

As a result, Salah can travel with the rest of Jose Mourinho’s squad to Austria for their pre-season tour, and will be able to look forward to his first full season with the Blues having joined from FC Basel for around £11m in January this year.

Gharib was reported to have thanked the Minister of Health and Education for his understanding, after the ruling was described as “threatening” the future of Egyptian football.

Salah 'required to return' to Egypt for military service

Salah scored twice in his 11 appearances for Chelsea to date – including a goal in the 6-0 demolition of Arsenal – but it was his two goals against the Blues in the Champions League group stages that alerted Mourinho to the potential of the young African.

Despite his young age, Salah has already amassed 17 goals in 29 appearances for his country, and can now focus on their trip to Austria after getting on the score-sheet in the 3-2 pre-season friendly win over AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.