Al-Ittihad's signing of Youssef En-Nesyri sparked widespread controversy in Saudi sporting circles. Legendary goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Deayea, formerly of Al-Hilal and the Saudi national team, directed harsh criticism at the Al-Ittihad management. This move was intended to compensate for the sudden departure of French star Karim Benzema, who transferred to Al-Hilal, placing the Al-Ittihad management under immense pressure from fans and the media to find a replacement capable of leading the attack.
Details of Al-Ittihad's contract with Youssef En-Nesyri and Al-Da'aya's criticisms
In televised remarks that sparked considerable discussion, Mohammed Al-Deayea asserted that the club's decision to release Karim Benzema and bring in Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri was a step backward for Al-Ittihad. Al-Deayea explained that the team has lacked a leader on the pitch since the French star's departure, noting that Benzema possessed a clear influence and the ability to make decisive decisions in difficult moments. Al-Deayea likened Benzema's leadership to that of Cristiano Ronaldo with Al-Nassr, emphasizing that Al-Ittihad has lost its most important asset – the player who played a crucial role in securing the league and cup double last season.
Historical context and transformations in the Brigadier's attack
Historically, Al-Ittihad has relied on top-class strikers to lead its attack, enabling it to dominate domestic and continental championships in the past. With the tremendous development of the Saudi Professional League and the influx of international stars, the competition now demands players capable of handling the pressure. Benzema's departure was not merely a technical loss, but a fundamental shift in the club's project, which was built on attracting European champions. This makes the task of any incoming striker, regardless of their name, fraught with challenges and constant comparisons.
The local and regional impact of the new deal
Domestically, these changes have shaken the team's stability, with Al-Ittihad dropping to sixth place in the Roshan League standings with 42 points after 25 rounds, having achieved 12 wins, 6 draws, and 7 losses. Regionally and internationally, the arrival of a star of Youssef En-Nesyri's caliber, who enjoys immense popularity following his achievements with the Moroccan national team in the World Cup and his previous success with Spanish club Sevilla, has brought greater attention to the Saudi League among Arab and African fans, despite the technical challenges the player currently faces in adapting to the team's system.
Al-Nassiri's statistics and the defending reactions
En-Nesyri joined to provide direct attacking solutions, whether through movement inside the penalty area or by exploiting his trademark crosses. So far, the Moroccan player has participated in 7 matches, scoring 3 goals and providing 1 assist. In response to criticism from Al-Da'aya, former Al-Ittihad star Hamad Al-Montashari came out in defense of the new striker, emphasizing that En-Nesyri possesses exceptional goal-scoring abilities that require providing him with the necessary resources and playmaking support. Al-Montashari indicated that a final judgment on the player should be postponed until the end of the season, recalling his previous successes in Europe and with the Moroccan national team, and stressing the need to find the missing balance in the Al-Ittihad squad.
