Topic: Saudi Professional League 2023/2024 - page 682. (Read 118639 times)

Looks like Al Ittihad are also ready for the big challenge next season in the Saudi league. They’ve just acquired more strength to their squad and might likely add more before the transfer window closes. Getting players from Europe to play for them will be a booster to the entire team even if they don’t perform 100% to their expectations for signing them.


All the top teams in the Saudi league are currently signing big players from Europe to boost their squads. Looking more like a contest of highest bidder on who gets to sign the more big players from Europe. Whatever the reason might be, the competition is going to be tough to watch by next season also.

They need popularity and attention and as we know they have a mission to host the World Cup so they have taken the right steps
Besides, money is not the main problem for club owners they get it every day from oil and other sectors so don't worry
After all the players who came were old players they only play for the next 2-3 years so after the target is achieved, a trend like this may also end.

Kante is only 32 years old and his health allows him to still play. He played 26 games in the 21/22 season and only 7 in 22/23, but the competition at Chelsea is clearly higher than in the Saudi League.

He has a contract until 2027, he can work hard and until 36-37 years old he can really play at the highest level. In addition, he seems to be a Muslim and should easily fit into Saudi society, and since he is a really modest guy and is not known for scandals or parties, everything should go smoothly for him.

Personally, I hold great admiration for this small and humble man, who always carries a warm smile. The image portrayed by his teammates, both at club level and in the national team, depicts Kante as a shy and modest individual. However, recent injuries have forced him to take a step back, resulting in a loss of his rightful place and his best performance. While some may argue that he is getting older, I feel that he is not too old to compete in the English Premier League (EPL). There are still many active players above his age, such as his teammate Silva at Chelsea. Nonetheless, prolonged injury concerns have cost him playing time and a spot in the team.

As you mentioned, I agree that the future of the Saudi Arabian League will be more challenging than before. The teams in the Arab League have been actively acquiring players during this transfer window, aiming to strengthen their squads and compete for championship titles by assembling teams composed of former top European players. In my opinion, this is a natural progression as they face no difficulties in terms of financial expenditure to bring in their desired players, offering them lucrative salaries.

Yes, I also think Ronaldo's transfer was great for the Saudi League and even also for Saudi Arabia in general. There is something called nation-branding and that Ronaldo move was great for Saudi Arabia. They are not only getting a football player, but they show their country to new markets and millions of people. Ronaldo's salary is extreme but he is still great at this age, I can't believe it. Maximum level a football player can reach ambition, perseverance, stability, professionalism, diligence. And many more uncountable reasons. And this man is still playing, as on the first day, without compromising anything. He is the possibly the first person young players should emulate. Deserves so much respect. Saudis have made a good move by acquiring him even that amount of money.

First, we are surprised by the record salary that Al Nassr offered to Ronaldo after the 2022 world cup Qatar. after this competition was over, other clubs competed to bring in other top Europeans. Al Ittihad, the winner of the 2022/2023 season competition title participated in enlivening to bring in newcomers from European leagues. unmitigated, to bring in Benzema, Al Ittihad was willing to spend money as well as a fantastic salary. of course, we wonder why Saudi clubs are suddenly competing to bring in European stars even though Ronaldo and Benzema are no longer young.

After investigating, it turns out that these clubs have been acquired by the PIF company under the auspices of Prince Mohammed bin Salman. which means, clubs such as Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, AlAhli and Al Hilal, are owned by one person, namely the Saudi prince with a project built together with the Saudi kingdom. scenario, they want to develop Saudi football more developed. plus, introducing the Saudi world from the football side.

I think their goal is not really to win the cup like the AFC. however, more than that, maybe we can only speculate and assume. in fact, Ronaldo was signed and at the same time became the ambassador for the 2030 world cup for Saudi Arabia. that means, their target is to host the 2030 world cup. plus, at the same time introducing Saudi to the world that they are ready to be open both in the field of business or whatever that seems to be their project. that's why, there are many famous players they bring in. one of them as I said above. plus, the Saudis are targeting the attention of the world's eyes on them through football.

by the way, this is my assumption and has nothing to do with actual facts. So what I'm saying from my perspective, is most likely wrong.

I hope Kante will not have any more problems with his injury because if he has been injured for a long time he will be even more vulnerable but so far they have passed the medical which means Kante now looks fitter he will also have many minutes to play with Benzema who is the mainstay of striker Al Ittihad.

I think next season for Al Ittihad will not be that easy there are many other teams that are being built like Al Nassr who has Ronaldo and Ziyech and Al Hilal has Ruben Neves and Koulibaly as his defense, it is rumored again that Thomas Partey, an Arsenal player, is now still at Try negotiating with the Saudi team.

Since Karim Benzema and Kante have gone to Al ittehad, this team has been strengthened. When Karim Benzema was in the Premier League, he also showed enough good performances. Karim Benzema has won every match for Real Madrid. However, Al Ittehad has been dominated by two famous stars, so the SPL can improve in the future. On the other hand, Al Nassr has Cristiano Ronaldo due to which the SPL has gained more popularity now. Al Ittihad won the SPL this season despite not having many stars. And now Al Ittehad has two good stars, surely they will try to win the championship every season.  With two world-renowned stars joining the SPL, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo will surely do well in the future.

Depends on the money. If young players are offered this kind of 100+ million dollars per year type of contract, I am sure there will be plenty of players, sure you won't get Haaland or Mbappe, but you will get a lot of great players. There are so many 20-25 year old players who are playing their roles at big clubs, or having trouble finding financial respect from those clubs, could leave for x50 more money. They can make more money in a single season than their entire career in Europe.

But if SA doesn't offer them that kind of money, and offer something close, then we are not going to end up seeing anything remotely close, it is going to be pretty different without a doubt. I think we need to just see the money first before we judge the situation.

even though he is only 32 years old, Kante is suitable for being in the Arab League because he has found it difficult to compete with younger players in the Premier League. before having these two players (kante and benzema) al ittihad had already dominated the SPL, plus the presence of the two, surely al ittihad would become champions again in the next season, benzema and kante were an extraordinary combination. I can't wait to see how the former teammates (cristiano and benzema) fare in the SPL league.

Maybe the goal of the Arab League is to bring star players to play in the Saudi Arabian league with the mission of making the Saudi Arab League famous and competitive. I salute Saudi Arabia, which is a rich country but progress is very fast worldwide.

In the past, legend players like Beckham, Henry, Drogba, Pirlo, Gerrad, Lampard, played in MLS because it used to be called a league for star players retiring. now the league of players wants his retirement to move to the Saudi Arabian league. The number of professional European players moving to the Saudi league will increase the value of this league, many Saudi league clubs have won the Asian Champions League and appeared in the Club World Cup. even the Saudi national team also regularly plays in the World Cup. This is an extraordinary progress for Saudi Arabia.

However, if such a league or tournament happens, I personally believe that SPL teams that have been strengthened by star players will not have a big chance of winning. So yes, if a league like that can work, then it seems that the winners will still be won by European teams because European teams have experience playing in very competitive competitions. Therefore, they only build to become famous although indeed, with a lot of money they can do anything. But still, when it comes to football then of course European competitions and teams are the best.

I was thinking the same. Initially I had the fear that Europe's contracts with SPL may not turn out well in the nearest future, but later I realize that Europe will always be Europe. SPL is currently investing in their nation's football.  They want to have a great taste like Europe football. But some factors can hinder them from reaching the standard in Europe.  Such factors like Laws, the Environment, religion,  and many more will always be a problem. The money is there but football leaves in Europe. Players that are running to Europe currently don't desire fame and achievement, they are there for money. All will return to the Europe league after making their money. Unless SPL clubs start featuring in Europa competitions.

Its not about how much money spent by Saudi Pro League teams for signing many star players and brave give most expensive salary, but Saudi Arabia has big ambition to be host for FIFA World Cup 2030 and make their domestic league popular is one way to make easily choose as host for World Cup. Asian League is not too popular is small money income when winning AFC Cup or Asian Champion League, but Saudi Arabia want to make their domestic league more popular and huge influence for watching Saudi Pro League competition.

Not balanced between income and outcome in Saudi Pro League teams, but their owner has much money and looks not priority get attention for getting bigger marketing power or sponsor.

I'm thinking about Benzema and Kante both moving to Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia and they are going to play there for the next season and wondering what's the point of hiring all these superstar players for Al Ittihad. They are spending too much money on these players when they don't actually need all these players. The main goal for a team like Al Ittihad is to win the AFC Cup and I think the money spent there's much more than what they need to reach this goal.
I think they are working on their marketing power and sponsor to attract more attention for the next season.

Pretty much the same like SPL was forcing all of people in the world to watch its league. Money was forcing so many people to put SPL as one of their favorite leagues caused by they have been some great players were going to the saudi pro league.
Money talks much here. The money can buy you everything. A great player + his fans will come to this league. I just saw if intermilan has reached an agreement for brozovic's transfer.
He will be joined in al nassr as a new player. I saw that some offers were coming for him but intermilan is only selling him for arabian club. We will have another star to come soon.
The clubs in saudi pro league may be going even crazy next transfer season.

No need to apologize, but even if there had not been any rumors about it by now, it would still be allowed to speculate about it and I think when you take all the evidence at hand, there is an indication that the SPL could only be the beginning of a bigger mission. The could also change their plans along the way and therefore nothing is set in stone until they announce it. But for now it is as you say and we can only wait. It is good to see other places in the world contribute to the ecosystem, but it is not good to see unstoppable inflation in the business.

Benzema and Kante's move to Al-Ittihad displays their strategic foresight. Benzema, understanding player succession at 35, cedes room for fresh talent at Real Madrid. Al-Ittihad is his next stage, both lucrative and apt for his continued prowess display.

Meanwhile, Kante's transition ensures more game time and a substantial salary, a tactical move considering his recent woes at Chelsea. The Saudi league's rising star power fuels global intrigue.

Saudi Arabia's different approach to football begins from the last Qatar World Cup. Their great win against Argentina surprised the whole world. At that time, Saudi Arabia was widely appreciated in football. Since then, the head of government of that country gave a different opinion about Saudi football. He wants to spread the reputation as well as re-introduce Saudi Arabia to the world. ‍He may try to bring the 2030 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. Since they are economically rich, transferring players to their league will not be too difficult. Already well-known players have been brought into their clubs and they will now try to keep young players. If their efforts continue, their country's football will improve simultaneously their league will also gain international recognition.

With the current state of things, and the market force, Saudi Arabia pro league are topping in this transfer window, they are now competing with all European clubs in the market, this is just the beginning of what they will become in the next five years, the European media houses are making wrong predictions on the league just to reduce investors moral, but the league are getting more investors now than before, everyone wants to invest in the league, because of the international audience they have gotten ever since Ronaldo joined the league.
Europe should better watch their back, Saudi Arabia is coming, the taxations and the environment are the key factors players consider for choosing the league over some clubs in Europ.