It’s no secret that the Saudi Pro League have been making a splash in Europe this summer, with top stars from the Premier League and beyond having been wooed by the money and the new project.
But just what does the best XI of new signings this summer look like in the Middle East?
Goalkeeper and Defence
The goalkeeper is an easy decision. Edouard Mendy joined Al-Ahli from Chelsea this summer for £16 million makes it an easy choice for the goalkeeping slot.
The Senegalese was superb when Chelsea won the UEFA Champions League back in 2021, but his time in England is over and he is a superb signing for the fee the Saudi side paid.
The centre-back pairing would be Scottish defender Jack Hendry and former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly. Kouibaly, despite a poor time at Chelsea, is still a superb addition to the Saudi side.
Jack Hendry, the former Celtic man, joined Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq as the opportunity was too good to turn down according to the BBC. The full-backs are more difficult, with none of the big sides having signed at full-back so far.
So, Brazilian forward Malcolm and Roberto Firmino, who joined Al-Ahli recently will be the two full-backs in this rather bizarre formation.
The midfield
This is a much easier choice. For the midfield, we have two Al-Ittihad players in N’Golo Kante and former Liverpool man Fabinho.
The pair were both instrumental as Chelsea and Liverpool won the European Cup. Another Liverpool midfielder, this time Jordan Henderson, will complete the midfield three.
The Englishman was a superb addition to Liverpool and will no doubt be a superb addition to Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq.
The forwards
Another easy decision is the front three. The striker, to nobody’s surprise, is Karim Benzema. There will be comments about why Ronaldo wasn’t included, but the Portuguese joined Al-Nassr in January, so is off the list.
Benzema is a bonafide Real Madrid legend and at 35, he could potentially have another year or two at the peak of his powers.
The wing pairing will be Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane. The former Manchester City and Liverpool players were superb as they also both assisted their sides in winning the Champions League.
Both players are superb technicians with goals and assists to prove it and they will make Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr both infinitely better as they prepare to challenge for the league title.
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