Topic: Saudi Professional League 2023/2024 - page 267. (Read 112161 times)

Benzema was doing pretty bad at the start of the season and this could be blamed on his injury and the coach’s style of play. Though I think there’ll be improvements now with this new coach who’s now playing a different style and making Benzema play his traditional position. Hopefully it would help the team get better with time, Benzema is a world class player and with the right backings and players surrounding him, their's a tendency of him improving better.

 I think the team needs some more additional creative players who’ll be able to help and assist him upfront so as to get the goals. Yes, the goals, because he’s still very active and can deliver at any time.They still have a chance of finishing top. 4 but they’ll have to be pretty better than early season to be able to achieve this feat. As the title defenders in would be very embarrassing if they fail to finish in a good position, even with a balloon D'or holder like Karim Benzema.

The last time Cristiano Ronaldo was asked of when he's planning to retire from football, he simply said that he's gonna play till when he's body can't continue again which means that should he remain fully fit till he clocks 40, he'll still continue playing professional football. Cristiano Ronaldo have significantly improved from the his performance of last season with Al Nassr and I'm very happy for his improvements.

He's currently leading the goalscoring chart in the Saudi Pro League and I think he's definitely gonna end the season as the top scorer. His prior problem ar the moment is to win the Saudi Pro League title

In his first season, Ronaldo scored 14 goals and 2 assists in the Saudi Pro League, this season he has scored 20 goals and 9 assists from 18 matches played. That's a good improvement in his second season with Al Nassr. Although he is old and actually many players decide to retire at his age, but he can still provide an interesting spectacle, not just a spectacle, but he also provides evidence with the goals he can create.
Until now I haven't heard anything from him, at his age he wants to retire or anything else. It looks like he's still enjoying it so he's decided to stay longer as a player. That's a good thing, because he can still make a big contribution to the club he's currently playing for.

Regarding Karim Benzema who was reported missing, it seems that the news media is exaggerating too much. Because based on the news I read, it was stated that "Benzema went to Madrid for special circumstances, he asked for three days off and the club agreed." And this was said by the club director who did not want to be named.

And we know that the SPL and Arabian leagues are on holiday for one month until February. So it was only natural that Benzema took advantage of this moment to take a few days off to go to Madrid for personal matters he had to complete.

Sourch: bola.tempo.co

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Al-ittihad is indeed the most enthusiastic in targeting European players in this transfer market. In fact, the club's approach to the players was also carried out from the start or before the transfer market opened. I like this club in this regard. And talking about players from Atletico Madrid, it seems that Angel Correa is not the only one being targeted by Arab clubs.

There is also Mario Hermoso who is being targeted by Al-Nassr. But Al-Nassr doesn't seem to be in a rush to bring in this player. Because reportedly Al-Nassr will wait for this player to finish his contract at Atletico Madrid which will end at the end of the current season, namely 2024.

9 scores 5 assists from 15 matches is not a bad result for a player who has just joined a new team but the problem is that Benzema is one of the star players just like Ronaldo who can currently score 20 scores from 18 matches since joining Al Nassr so in my opinion this is not a matter of adaptation that Benzema has to go through, but he just needs other european players who can provide good support for scoring because I see that Benzema currently doesn't have much support from other players in Ittihad, like he can't build chemistry with other players.

well, we'll see in the transfer market this season, if Ittihad is able to get a midfielder from europe with good talent, there will definitely be changes for Benzema and we'll see what will be done to increase Benzema chances of becoming a big scorer like Ronaldo and Mitrovic.

Benzema with his time in Lyon, played as a striker but when he moved to Real Madrid, he played more like a forward than a striker. The scoring task in Real Madrid many years was assigned to Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema accepted his role to support Cristiano. He is not a bad striker as his last two seasons with Real Madrid proved how good he could do as a club main striker.

In Saudi Professional League, he is still professional as he has been always a professional player over many years but he is affected by his age. Benzema seems to not have a good given physical body like Cristiano and his performance is affected more seriously by ageing than Cristiano since 2022. He is younger than Cristiano and still has time to come back like how Cristiano did after some months of poor performances in Manchester United.

I do believe that it is definitely not a terrible result, but that doesn't mean that we are talking about something that would be "enough" when you are getting paid like that. Like him or Hate him, look at what Ronaldo is doing and you will understand, he is doing much better and I believe that he is getting what they are giving him, dude is getting paid a lot, but he is also giving his all on the field, he is trying his best, even if he was terrible I would say at least he is playing with 100% but he is also playing greatly there as well.

Benzema never had that, and he never really played like he scored a lot, 9 goals is nothing in this league, he played against such terrible defenses that he should have been able to score that in 5 games.

It is reported that Al-Ittihad is preparing an offer for Ángel Correa from Altetico and this is another step made by Al-Ittihad to return to hunting for European players. I think Ángel Correa is not a bad choice and as a winger who can also be a striker he is the right option for Al-Ittihad's attack line. Certainly his services are really needed by Al-Ittihad who are currently slumped deep in the middle of the standings and hope that in the remainder of this season they can improve the shortcomings in the squad. Moreover, with the news of Benzema's disappearance, it is hoped that Ángel Correa can be his replacement.

Now the decision depends on Ángel Correa. If he wants to leave and join Al-Ittihad then Atletico will open the door for Ángel Correa. The reason is that with this transfer Atletico has targeted Thiago Almada as a replacement for Ángel Correa. In fact, with the current situation, Al-Ittihad has received clarity and of course all they have to do is increase their offer and salary so that Ángel Correa wants to join this January.

Source: https://twitter.com/DeadlineDayLive/status/1745575396047724613

Yes, because players have to adapt well so that the move doesn't have a big impact on their career. There are players who are successful when they change clubs and there are also those whose careers decline after changing clubs because the ability to adapt and the quality of players at each club is different. Jordan Henderson played quite well at Premier League with Liverpool but tended to decline when playing in the Saudi League with Al Ettifaq. I think Jordan Henderson still needs time to develop there.

If a player feels uncomfortable at his new club he might think about returning to his old club because he thinks it is difficult to develop if the club cannot provide comfort between players, it is not easy to adapt to the Saudi League which is a different league from the European League. Weather in the Saudi League and the European leagues are also different so players have to think carefully if they really want to continue their career in the Saudi League because if they only want a big salary without thinking about their career then their potential will fade.

Maybe his performance is not too bad if you look at the number of goals he has scored for Ittihad FC in the Saudi pro league, although it is still less than that scored by Hamdallah who scored 10 goals in 14 matches and he was the main striker at this club last season and his position was replaced by Karim Benzema this season with the hope that Ittihad FC will be even better and more importantly can defend the title, but for now that is no longer possible, even Al Nassr, who are only seven points behind Al Hilal, is finding it difficult to catch up, especially Ittihad FC who are already behind 25 points, and with what Ittihad FC is currently experiencing, it proves that buying star players from Europe is not a guarantee and there must be a very precise assessment to be able to get the right players, like Al Hilal who bought Neymar and also Mitrovic but it turned out that Mitrovic was the one valueable purchases for his club because the injury meant that Neymar couldn't do much for his team.

Are you sure that management will allow Arteta to bring in Karim Benzema? He may even only be able to play no more than three seasons, he may retire in less than two seasons, and I have never seen a top team in the English Premier League interested in buying an old striker like Benzema, so it could be that it's just a rumor spread by Benzema's agent to make other clubs want to buy him because he reportedly doesn't feel at home at Ittihad FC.

As far as I have observed and followed, Benzema was injured and missed several of his matches with Al Ittihad. in the 19 matches played by Al Ittihad, Benzema only played 15 matches with his team. plus, the system implemented by the previous coach did not suit Benzema's playing style. yeah, as some rumors have reported that Benzema doesn't get along with Nuno Santos. it seems that Benzema doesn't like the system implemented by the coach who previously managed Al Ittihad.
now, Marcelo Gallordo is in charge of Al Ittihad. at least Al Ittihad's new coach is bringing an offensive system, and Benzenma is returning to playing as a pure striker or center forward.

IMO, Benzema can actually still be relied on even though he is 36. the problem is, this team is not filled with potential supporting players. in the end, Benzema's performance has not really improved so far. I think it's not just Benzema's problem if Al Ittihad wants improvement. Ideally, club management must bring in several newcomers who can be relied on. good in terms of scoring goals, as well as contributing to helping Bemzema as a goal in his team's squad. which means, Al Ittihad must bring in several wingers who are quite competent and can be relied on. thus, Al Ittihad still has a chance of at least finishing in the top four of the Saudi Pro League. Well, let's see, this competition still has a break before it starts again.

Sometimes a player's decision to switch team can make or mar his career. At thesame, it won't be evident at first till the move is made. Henderson with Liverpool did exceedingly well. He had the right team spirit he needed and he delivered justly in his position.
His switch made a difference in his position on the pitch too, his new role isn't adequately executed and he's just got to struggle hard to keep up a good play.

 It's draining though because with Liverpool if he had remained in the team, it'd have been a more positive scenario. The current situation has effect on his physical and mental capabilities in the team and it needs to be corrected or he better still, switches to a more favourable condition of play. Even if it means going to a mediocre team in the EPL.

You're right. Ronaldo always keeps a healthy lifestyle and do exercise everyday. That makes his physical to have good endurance. He is 38 years old but he is still very competitive in SPL, he even leads the top scorer in SPL now. Sure, it is a great achievement for a 38 years old player. Well, I don't know when Ronaldo will consider to retire, but it looks like he will play until 40 years old. No doubt, this will inspire football players around the world. He is a real role model of professional footballer.

Agree, it seems quite difficult to win the title. But it is surely not impossible as long as there are still many remaining matches. 7 points difference is large enough, but Al Nassr must have the motivation to keep their effort for the title. I really hope Al Nassr will maintain their good performance until the end of the season. Let's see if Al Hilal can miss points or not in the next matches.

Benzema situation seems very suspicious because not only he is old enought to go to arabia and stay there, but also because he is from the arab world in someterms, he is also muslim so he has to be very comfort in this country, i dont really know what is happening and why we have this rumours of him wanting to comeback to europe.

But Al-Ittihad fans were dissatisfied with the performance of the former Real Madrid player and they started attacking his Instagram account and Benzema was forced to deactivate his account indefinitely. I think the Al-Ittihad public has too high expectations of him and perhaps Benzema's failure this season has made them angry considering that Al-Itthad are the defending champions of the Saudi League.

Now, if Benzema leaves because of the pressure that exists from the fans, it will be a loss for the club because they have spent a lot of money on his salary and at the same time, Saudi Arabia will also lose him considering that his exposure is also very large for the future development of the Saudi League. As for Arsenal, I think they are just interested and Benzema's salary is too big, so it is better for their funds to be used to recruit younger and more talented players than to invest their funds in players who are almost finished.

I think seeing Messi and Ronaldo play is great regardless of age. Messi may not be at his best like in Barcelona, but Ronaldo's goal-scoring prowess seems to last. Not simply current shape, right? They reflect a football era we've all enjoyed. Their nearly two-decade rivalry is legendary.

A match between Inter Miami and Al Nassr excites me. Not merely who's fitter or scores more. Two game giants may face off for the last time. The nostalgia, recollections, and their presence on the field transcend form. Two careers that changed football are honored.

IMO, and this is what I see, the problem that makes it difficult for Benzema to appear stronger is simply that he needs other players who can unite their chemistry to create solid partnership, such as Ronaldo and Mitrovic, who currently have very strong chemistry with other players.
I always see Benzema as not being able to work together with other player so Ittihad must understand this to find a way so that Benzema can make the best contribution like when he was in europe.

and as for internal problems, I'm not too sure because I think that the only problem that makes Benzema look really bad.

I think Benzema will still be retained by Ittihad because he has signed a 3 year contract if I'm not mistaken until 2026 so I think Ittihad will still give Benzema time to return to his best performance like when he was at Los Blancos, I'm sure Benzema can definitely do it, he just needs to time to adapt to his current team because he is not used to playing in the SPL because he spent most of his career at Los Whites.

Well, Benzema has performed quite well so far at Al-ittihad. It's just that he hasn't fully adapted to Al-ittihad. Because not all players can adapt quickly to a new club. Moreover, there are many differences between Arab and European clubs. Both in the rhythm of the game and the weather of the place. So some European players definitely need time to adapt to all of this. Even Sadio Mane at Al-Nassr didn't immediately perform well. It's just that Mane is lucky to have CR7 at Al-Nassr who has also adapted there and of course can help Mane adapt more quickly. Meanwhile at Al-ittihad all the European players there were also brought in at almost the same time as Benzema. So everyone still needs time to build good chemistry with fellow players. I am sure that in the second season Benzema can be more productive. Because CR7 also did better things in his second season with Al-Nassr.

Yes, it's true, Benzema's performance cannot be said to be bad, he played quite well but did not show the very good performance that many people expected. However, this cannot be separated from the club's performance which is not very good. However, he cannot play alone, because he plays as a team of 11 players each game. It would not be wise to blame it only on Benzema, because other players play a very important role for a club, he cannot alone bring his team to a high level and I also don't think any player can do that alone.
Now they have to improve as a team not as individual players. Everyone on the team must have a sense of responsibility to make the club at a high level.