Goals were scarcer than player transfers during the last round. An eventful few days are behind us – let’s recap them!
A lack of goals.
The offensive departments seemed to have taken a breather (who could blame them after such an intense January?!) as this gameweek ended with the least number of goals scored this season, and – unsurprisingly – with the most clean sheets. None of the 18 teams were able to score more than one goal!
Usually, we rave about goalscorers. Now, let’s highlight the name of the goalkeepers, who didn’t concede, as they also deserve to stand in the limelight: Grohe (Al Shabab), Rajković (Al Ittihad), Bento (Al Nassr), Bono (Al Hilal), Mendy (Al Ahli), Kewin (Damac), Cozzani (Al Kholood), Rodák (Al Ettifaq) and Al Kassar (Al Qadsiah).
Ronaldo goes on strike as Benzema jumps ships.
Due to the lack of goals, the focus shifted to the transfer saga. Indeed, while the showdown between Al Hilal and Al Ahli was highly anticipated, let’s be honest: lucky are those who missed this goalless draw, although the mindless challenge of Majrashi on Theo Hernández late in the game was a really unique tackle. We are still looking for an explanation why it was only a second yellow and not straight red card.
As regards the transfer window, things heated up when Al Ittihad captain Benzema went on strike, citing his fury in connection with the contract extension he was offered. However, things got out of control when the former Ballon D’or winner joined arch-rivals Al Hilal out of the blue. This is certainly not what you expect from your club captain. Add to that the fact that the same PIF is the majority owner of both clubs, and things get even more strange.
Arguably, Benzema’s move also shifted the balance of power in the league, as fellow league leaders got a massive boost with another superstar on their books now. Right when the title race seemed to be more open than ever. It also raised the eyebrows of Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, who also went on strike thereafter and even tried to block the move. Unfortunately for him, the PIF showed little care and the protest of an independent player from a third club was ignored, and the transfer was duly finalised.
Al Ittihad is undergoing a major transition.
However, there is one more thing to note here, which rarely gets attention in the media: if Al Nassr fans are furious, what could Al Ittihad fans say? The team lost its captain to the arch-rivals, midfield maestro Kanté also departed to Turkey shortly after Benzema’s departure, and there are question marks over the future of assist-king Diaby.
On the other hand, the Tigers weren’t idly just watching the events unfold. While he might not be as famous as Benzema, the capture of Moroccan international forward Youssef En-Nesyri is a big one, and young George Ilenikhena is also a promising acquisition. Obviously, further transfer action would be needed in the summer, but be warned: it’ll be a fatal mistake to underestimate the reigning champions going forward!
