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The leader in his new dress
It seems that Al Hilal Saudi Arabia is on the verge of a real artistic revolution under the leadership of Italian Simone Inzaghi, who is not so much looking for names as for players who can implement his tactical ideas, even if the price sacrifices the team’s biggest stars.
A look at Al Hilal’s movements in the transfer market reveals the hallmarks of a new project that relies on pace, attacking passing and high pressing, a philosophy that could topple historic names such as Karim Benzema and Salem Al Dosari in exchange for reinforcements that match the Italian coach’s vision.
The first signs of change came at the spearhead position after Al Hilal opened talks to sign a new foreign striker, coinciding with uncertainty over Karim Benzema’s future.
Reports suggest the club are exploring more than one scenario, simply signing the France star to the AFC Champions League, or ending his journey for good if they manage to sign a new striker who matches Inzaghi’s style.
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The Italian coach is looking for a striker who can apply constant pressure, move without the ball and participate in quick transitions, which have not been the most obvious strengths of Benzema’s style recently.
On the left front, the picture is clearer after Al Hilal came close to completing a deal for one of the Premier League’s most popular wingers, Dutchman Crescencio Summerville.
If the deal goes through, Salem Al-Dosari will face direct competition for his preferred position, which may not be welcomed by the Al Hilal captain, who is used to being the main and biggest player in the team.
It’s hard to imagine Salem as a back-up player at this stage in his career, which could open the door to an abrupt end to his relationship with Al Hilal if he feels his place in the team is no longer guaranteed.
Things are also moving towards change on the right front, after Malcolm’s name was strongly linked with a departure given his departure from the technical staff accounts.
Meanwhile, Al Hilal have opened preliminary talks with Paris Saint-Germain to explore the possibility of signing Frenchman Othmane Dembele, a deal that would be the biggest in the history of the Saudi league if talks progress to an official stage.
Dembele’s presence alongside Somerville will give Al Hilal wings characterized by speed and the ability to break the lines, which is very much in line with Inzaghi’s philosophy of quick passing and direct attack.
All indications are that Inzaghi is not just looking to add new names, but is looking to completely reshape Al Hilal’s identity.
A team that previously relied on possession and individual skills could evolve into a more dynamic system based on pressure, quick passes and high speeds in the final third.
If these changes go through, it will not be just a summer Mercato, but rather the beginning of a new era at Al Hilal, one that could end the roles of the main stars and open the door for another generation that fits the Italian coach’s vision of competing in all competitions.