Blog

Jun 11, 2023

Karim Benzema bust

The big-name players that moved to the Middle East were expected to dominate, but things have not gone that way so far The Saudi Pro League's entrance into the transfer market this summer may have

The big-name players that moved to the Middle East were expected to dominate, but things have not gone that way so far

The Saudi Pro League's entrance into the transfer market this summer may have changed football forever. Cristiano Ronaldo's decision to join Al-Nassr in January opened the door, and Europe's best players have since flooded over to the Middle East to experience a 'new challenge' - and become even more wealthy in the process.

So much of the debate surrounding this great migration has focused on off-field considerations, such as transfer fees, wages and commercial potential. Whereas the effect that this influx of talent might have on the pitch was scarcely considered.

However, the season is now finally underway and the performances of these glitzy arrivals have been surprising to say the least. Marquee signings like Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez were expected to take the Pro League by storm. Instead, the European imports have had variable success.

Perhaps what's been even more surprising is that some of them have struggled to get their own way in the dressing room, allaying any fears that Pro League clubs would bend to every whim of their new signings.