COMMENT: This feels different. This spending spree from Saudi Arabia. It feels genuine. Credible. Those in Europe can cite what we saw from China and all it’s aftermath. But there really is no comparison…
The momentum continues. As this column discussed just before Christmas. For the Middle East. For Asia. Football’s momentum isn’t slowing down. Instead, it’s gathering pace. The World Cup in Qatar. Al Nassr’s signing of Cristiano Ronaldo. Those events. As impactful as they were. They were just a precursor to what we’re now witnessing. And for many of us, enjoying…
This Saudi spending spree has the heavy hitters of Europe concerned. And in the Premier League they’re rattled. There’s no other word for it. The response has been one of panic. Hysteria. Calls, effectively, to impose restraint of trade laws on players. Demands for investigations into the selling clubs. As we say, it’s been hysterical.
The claims of Gary Neville, the former Manchester United captain, regarding Wolves’ sale of their captain Ruben Neves to Al Hilal are ridiculous. 47 million quid for a 26 year-old Premier League midfielder. A midfielder wanted by Barcelona. There’s no fee inflating here. Indeed, given the work of Todd Boehly at Chelsea these past 12 months, you could argue Al Hilal landed Neves on the cheap.
And what about Chelsea and these apparent cast-offs? N’Golo Kante has just signed for Al Ittihad on a Bosman. Hakim Ziyech is all set to join Ronaldo at Al Nassr. Kalidou Koulibaly has reached terms with Al Hilal. And Edou Mendy is to commit to Al-Ahli. Again, like Neves, it’s moronic to suggest any of these players are leaving for inflated fees.
A year ago, Koulibaly was trumpeted as the best centre-half in the world. Months earlier, just about everyone inside the English game were saying the same about goalkeeper Mendy. Ziyech was blocked by Chelsea from joining PSG on deadline day in January – as Erik ten Hag was by Manchester United‘s board in August. These are worldbeaters. Premium players who cost a premium price. Just what are these pundits droning on about?
And we can level the same at Alexander Ceferin, the UEFA president. Just months after seeing Karim Benzema, now of Al Ittihad, handed the Ballon d’Or, Ceferin says: “I think Saudi Arabia is making a mistake. They should invest in academies, coaches and educate their players. Shopping will not improve your football. China made the same mistake.”
But as we say, this isn’t China. This feels different. There’s a genuine football culture in Saudi Arabia. The Pro League is built around clubs 70, 80 years old. Clubs driven by sportsmen. Football people. With ambitions to win trophies, not market shopping centres.
Saudi Arabia have a history in the World Cup. In the Asian Cup. After all, can anyone forget the genius of Herve Renard and his players upsetting the eventual world champions in December? Again this isn’t China, the Saudi system actually produces good footballers…
The money has always been there. As has the talent. From Rivelino to Denilson, the SPL has been able to attract big names. But Ronaldo is right when he says he “opened the box”. It took the Portuguese great to blaze this trail. To open the door for the likes of Benzema to buy into what is being built.
And that’s just it. What’s significant about all these deals is they’re three-, four-year contracts. The players are buying into it. They’re moving themselves. Their families. All their interests to Saudi Arabia. Or just as significantly, to Asia and Asian football.
As we’ve raised in past columns, this SPL spending spree will spread. It’ll spark a goldrush. A talent rush. There’ll be pressure on City Football Group to start diverting talent to the UAE. Ditto PSG and Qatar. And the idea that the biggest clubs of Japan and South Korea will just sit back… that’s simply not going to happen.
Again, Ceferin: “Players want to win the best competitions. And these are in Europe. Name a player who is top, of top age and who starts his career and has gone to play in Saudi Arabia. We don’t lose these players…”
Well, as in the case of Neves, Mendy and Koulibaly, Europe is losing them now. And in terms of the “best competitions”, how long before the Asian Champions League matches the UEFA version? This year’s Asian final drew a viewership of over 100 million. Eight years ago the Federation was boasting numbers of 30 million. Ceferin dare whisper it, but with such momentum, just what will be the next season’s figures with these influx of big names?
The Nevilles. The Ceferins. They didn’t see this coming. They were unprepared. The hysteria. The scorn. It all typifies an institution under threat. It can be argued the SPL are setting themselves up as the Premier League of Asia. But they’ll be no little cousins. And it won’t begin and end with picking off the likes of Bernardo Silva from Manchester City. This’ll run deeper. It’ll be Al Hilal beating Chelsea to the signing of Andrey Santos. Or Al Ittihad trumping Brighton to Moises Caicedo. Go and be coached by Nuno and his staff. Train daily alongside Kante and Benzema. Is it really so far-fetched to think a teenager from Ecuador would choose such a prospect over moving to Falmer stadium…?
The culture. The history. The planning that is in place. And all underpinned by almost 100 years of football development. This doesn’t just feel different. This is different. As it has since the New Year, football’s momentum is now with Asia. This Saudi spending spree is proof enough of that.
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