In a remarkable development within the corridors of the leader, the technical staff of Al-Hilal Club, led by Simeone Inzaghi, submitted a special and urgent request to the club’s management, concerning the future of the Portuguese defender Joao Cancelo, before the completion of his expected transfer to the ranks of the Spanish club Barcelona during the current winter transfer window officially.
The Al-Hilal manager is eager to utilize the services of the Portuguese star and have him start in the highly anticipated and crucial match against arch-rivals Al-Nassr, in the fifteenth round of the Saudi Professional League. This insistence stems from the paramount importance of this match, considered the "Riyadh derby," a pivotal point in the league title race. The coach aims to secure the three points before allowing the player to pack his bags and head to Catalonia.
Behind the scenes of the departure and the foreigners' crisis
Sources indicate that Joao Cancelo is one of the names that the technical staff has decided to let go from the ranks of “Al-Zaeem” in the winter transfer window. This is mainly due to the regulations governing the number of foreign players in the local list, the coach’s desire to rearrange the team’s cards in accordance with the technical needs of the next stage, in addition to the player’s personal desire to have a new experience.
Cancelo has already reached a preliminary agreement to move to Barcelona, driven by his strong desire to return to the atmosphere of the Spanish La Liga and wear the Blaugrana jersey again, a club that is looking for quality reinforcements in the full-back position to enhance its chances in European and domestic competitions.
The importance and impact of the Riyadh derby
The Al-Hilal vs. Al-Nassr match holds strategic importance that transcends its status as a mere three-pointer; it represents the pinnacle of Saudi football and attracts widespread global attention due to the presence of world-class players on both sides. Al-Hilal's coaching staff understands that losing a key player like Cancelo before this crucial encounter could disrupt the team's tactical balance, especially given the attacking prowess of their opponents.
On another front, Al-Hilal is continuing its intensive preparations to meet Al-Hazm Club, as part of the fourteenth round of the Roshan Professional League competition, which is scheduled to be held next Friday evening, as the team seeks to continue its winning streak and maintain its lead in the football scene in the Kingdom before entering the derby fray and dealing with the issue of departures and arrivals in the winter.
