Title: Saudi Arabia: The Promised Land for Chelsea’s Undesirables
Subtitle: The Saudi Pro League emerges as the new footballing “eldorado” with big checks
Date: June 25, 2023
In a comical turn of events, Chelsea Football Club found themselves facing a peculiar problem earlier this year. As the winter transfer window came to a close, the club’s training center at Cobham became too small to accommodate all the players of the first team. Forced to change in corridors or sit on the ground during coach’s talks, several players had to endure a downgrade in facilities. This situation mirrored the disappointing season for the West London club, finishing in 12th place, their worst record in thirty years.
The root cause of this overcrowding can be attributed to the new American owners who acquired Chelsea from Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich for a staggering $6 billion in June 2022. Since then, Todd Boehly, the businessman leading the investor group, has spared no expense in the transfer market. With 16 recruits totaling around $750 million in transfer fees, Chelsea has shattered all financial ceilings, including that of Racing Club de Strasbourg, recently acquired by the “BlueCo” consortium.
However, such extravagant spending has caught the attention of the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play regulations. To balance the books and comply with the league’s requirements, Chelsea’s management is tasked with offloading a dozen players. Seizing this opportunity, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a buyer eager to turn the Saudi Pro League into a footballing “eldorado” with lucrative offers.
The recent privatization of Saudi clubs, following a royal decree in early June, has opened up a new era of unlimited resources. Al-Hilal, al-Nasr, al-Ahli, and al-Ittihad, the four major clubs in the kingdom, are now backed by the Public Investments Fund (PIF), the Saudi sovereign wealth fund. This financial muscle makes them formidable competitors for any European team, with the exception of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.
Already, al-Ittihad has secured the services of French international midfielder N’Golo Kanté, who signed a three-year contract after winning the Saudi Pro League and recruiting Karim Benzema from Real Madrid. Now, al-Hilal is set to sign Kalidou Koulibaly, the former Napoli defender, who arrived in Riyadh for his medical examination. Ruben Neves, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder, will also join al-Hilal for a reported fee of $60
What factors, such as tax-free salaries and luxurious lifestyles, make the Saudi Pro League an attractive destination for Chelsea’s forgotten stars
Conditions during their time at Stamford Bridge, where many of these players have found themselves sidelined and considered undesirable by the club.
However, amidst this frustration, a surprising opportunity arose for these “undesirables” in the form of the Saudi Pro League. As the league gained traction and financial backing, it became an attractive destination for players who had fallen out of favor at Chelsea.
The Saudi Pro League, dubbed the new footballing “eldorado,” has been luring top talents with big checks and promising projects. With clubs such as Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ittihad leading the charge, there is a growing market for players looking to revive their careers and make a name for themselves in this emerging football powerhouse.
For Chelsea’s forgotten stars, the move to Saudi Arabia provides a chance to showcase their skills and prove their worth. Freed from the confines of a crowded squad and limited playing time, these players have the opportunity to rejuvenate their careers and reignite their passion for the game.
Names like Danny Drinkwater, Baba Rahman, and Kenedy have all made the switch to the Saudi Pro League, hoping to find success and redemption. These players, once seen as liabilities at Chelsea, now have the chance to become key contributors to their new clubs and potentially secure a future in the national team.
The financial incentives in Saudi Arabia cannot be overlooked either. With tax-free salaries and luxurious lifestyles, the players have an added incentive to perform at their best. This newfound financial stability allows them to focus solely on their football, alleviating the pressure and distractions that come with playing in the high-stakes environment of European football.
While some may argue that this exodus of players highlights the failure of Chelsea’s recruitment strategy, others see it as an opportunity for players to find new beginnings and prove their worth in a fresh environment. The Saudi Pro League offers a different kind of challenge, one that could potentially elevate these former Chelsea players to new heights.
As the footballing world keeps a close eye on the Saudi Pro League, it is clear that Saudi Arabia has become a promised land for Chelsea’s undesirables. With big checks and promising projects, this emerging football powerhouse is rewriting the narrative for players who had seemingly reached the end of their careers.
“Hilarious and chaotic! The overcrowded locker rooms at Chelsea have turned the team into a comical circus. And to top it off, the unexpected player exodus to Saudi Arabia adds a twist to this ridiculous situation. Can’t wait to see how the club deals with these challenges!”
“The overcrowded locker rooms at Chelsea have turned into a comical spectacle that even Hollywood could not script. With players seeking greener pastures in Saudi Arabia, it’s clear that something needs to be done to restore order and harmony within the club. This bizarre situation calls for swift action and clever management if Chelsea is to regain its once-fierce dominance on the field.”