Benzema and Kante's future at Al-Ittihad: Crucial decisions in the winter transfer window
All eyes in Saudi football, and especially those of Al-Ittihad fans, are on the club's administrative offices, where the four foreign players – Frenchman Karim Benzema, his compatriot N'Golo Kanté, Brazilian Fabinho Tavares, and Portuguese Danilo Pereira – are facing crucial hours to determine their future with the team. These prominent names await a decision on whether to stay or leave, amid reports suggesting their careers may end or they may change course at the end of the current season – a matter the administration has placed on the table for heated discussion.
Ramon Planes... the architect of the new federal project
The sporting management at Al-Ittihad Club, led by Spanish expert Ramon Planes, is handling this complex matter. Planes, who has extensive experience in European sports management, is currently assessing the feasibility of extending the contracts of some players or exploring settlements for their departure. A clearer picture regarding the future of the four Al-Ittihad players is expected during January, coinciding with the start of the winter transfer window, which presents a golden opportunity to get the club back on track.
Context of historical transformation and the influence of the stars
This administrative activity cannot be separated from the broader context of the ambitious Saudi sports project. The signing of Karim Benzema, the Ballon d'Or winner, and N'Golo Kanté, the World Cup champion, to the Saudi Professional League marked a historic turning point, placing the league under global scrutiny. Therefore, any decision concerning the future of these stars will not only have a local impact but will also resonate globally, given their market value and popularity within the international sporting community.
Winter Correction Revolution
In a related development, the club's management is planning a comprehensive technical overhaul, which includes releasing some players through loans or permanent transfers. This move comes at the direct recommendation of coach Conceição, who seeks to bolster the squad with new local and international players capable of making the desired impact, with the aim of returning to strong competition for domestic and continental titles and restoring the prestige of "The Tigers," which has been affected by recent inconsistent results.
Preparing to face eternity
On the field, coach Conceição continues his intensive preparations to get the team technically and physically ready for the upcoming match against Al-Kholoud. The match will take place next Friday at 8:30 PM at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah, as part of the 14th round of the Saudi Professional League. The coaching staff is currently focusing on tactical drills to determine the most suitable strategy and finalize the starting lineup to secure the three points.
It is worth noting that Al-Ittihad enters the match in sixth place in the standings with 23 points, a position that does not satisfy the ambitions of the Al-Dhahab fans, while Al-Kholoud is in twelfth place with 12 points, making the match important for both sides to improve their positions.
