The management of Al-Hilal Saudi Club has begun intensive and swift efforts in the past few hours to finalize the reinforcement of the first team's right flank, coinciding with confirmed reports of the departure of Portuguese star João Cancelo from the "Leaders" during the current winter transfer window. These moves come in response to the technical staff's vision, which emphasized the need to find an immediate replacement with high-caliber qualities to maintain the team's balance.
List of candidates to replace Cancelo
According to sources close to Al-Hilal, the club's management has drawn up a shortlist of three prominent local players to choose from, with Saud Abdulhamid , currently playing for AS Roma in Italy, topping the list as their first and primary choice. The technical staff believes that bringing back Abdulhamid is the ideal solution given his extensive experience and previous integration with the team's system, making him capable of making an immediate impact without requiring a lengthy adaptation period.
In second place, the name of the young Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat , the right-back of Al-Qadisiyah Club, stands out as a promising option for the future, while Mohammed Mahrezi, a player of Al-Taawon Club, is present as a third option in case negotiations with the previous names falter.
Al-Qadisiyah's position and the challenges of negotiations
Meanwhile, reports indicate obstacles to securing the second option, as Al-Qadisiyah officials have expressed strong interest in retaining the services of player Mohammed Abu Shamat. This initial rejection of the idea of the player's departure during the winter transfer window stems from technical recommendations emphasizing the need to maintain the core players of the Eastern Province team, which is striving to establish itself and compete strongly in the Roshan League. This complicates the task for Al-Hilal's negotiators in this regard.
Context of Cancelo's departure and his next destination
These rapid developments come after the official agreement for João Cancelo's move to FC Barcelona on a six-month loan. The decision was based on a mutual agreement and a recommendation from the coaching staff not to register the player in the domestic squad for the upcoming period, thus paving the way for his return to European football via the Catalan club.
The importance of the right-back position in Al-Hilal's system
These moves are of paramount importance given the crucial role the right-back position plays in Al-Hilal's attacking style. For years, the club has relied on modern full-backs who effectively contribute to playmaking and numerical superiority in attack, a role that Saud Abdulhamid previously mastered with distinction before his move abroad. Al-Hilal's management understands that fierce competition both domestically and continentally necessitates a readily available and equally capable replacement to ensure the team's continued success in winning titles and to prevent any unforeseen tactical changes from impacting the right flank.
