Al-Ittihad came into the 2023-24 season as the Saudi Pro League champions above Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal. It was their first title in 14 years and they won it under Nuno Espirito Santo. Hence, much was expected from them last season, especially after the influx of superstars in the Saudi Pro League last summer.
The Tigers signed some big names as well like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Fabinho, and Jota last summer. However, it didn’t work well for them at the start of the season. A string of poor results and Nuno’s falling out with Benzema saw Nuno being sacked in November 2023.
Al-Ittihad then appointed Marcelo Gallardo as their manager but he couldn’t oversee a huge upturn in form. They finished fifth in the Saudi Pro League, a mind-boggling 42 points behind winners Al-Hilal. At the end of the season, the club also sacked Gallardo.
The Tigers will be keen to get back on track and strengthen their squad this summer. However, they will likely look to appoint a new manager first and build the squad according to him.
Al-Ittihad Transfer Strategy
The Saudi Arabian side don’t have a strict transfer rule, for example, Premier League side Chelsea only sign players under 25. However, Al-Ittihad would appreciate a mix of experience and youth in their ranks.
They will look to add more big-name stars like Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante to their ranks but would also make a team with better-fit players. That, though, will only be revealed after the appointment of a new manager.
Needs and Areas for improvement
With how their season went, Al-Ittihad arguably needs a major overhaul of their squad. However, they have some good players and a new manager with a clear philosophy should be able to get the best of them. However, failing to qualify for the AFC Champions League could lead to some players looking elsewhere.
Let’s take a look at the areas they can improve in:
Goalkeeping
Al-Ittihad’s main goalkeeper is Mohammed Al-Mahasneh, with Abdullah Al Jadani as the backup. While they form a decent duo, the Tigers will be looking to lure in a European top-level goalkeeper this summer. Al Hilal signing Yassine Bonou helped them immensely last season and Al-Ittihad will look to follow a similar path.
Defense
The Tigers conceded 54 goals in the Saudi Pro League last season. Out of the top 10 teams, only Al-Fateh conceded more (55). Hence, it’s clear that their defense needs major improvement.
While they have some defenders coming back from loan, the club will look to sell some defenders and add more experience in the position.
Midfield
Al-Ittihad signed Fabinho and N’Golo Kante last summer but they have failed to impress. While Kante had some injury issues, Fabinho put in disappointing performances. The Frenchman has been having a brilliant Euro 2024 and the Tigers will hope he retains the form next season.
However, they will need to add more creativity in midfield with Jota struggling to make an impact.
Attack
Attack was perhaps their best attribute last season but it still fell short of the leaders in the league. While Al-Ittihad scored 63 goals, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr scored 101 and 100 goals respectively.
Karim Benzema scored 13 goals in 29 games. He was also the object of controversy with both Nuno Espirito Santo and Marcelo Gallardo unimpressed by him and even willing to sell him.
While it could be different with another manager, the club needs more attacking prowess to support the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner.
Al-Ittihad Top Targets
Saudi Arabian sides have all been linked with a number of European players. Al-Ittihad, in particular, have been heavily linked with a move for Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah.
The Tigers reportedly made a £150 million bid towards the end of the summer transfer window last summer but it was turned down. They are expected to return for the Egyptian this summer and with just one year left on his contract, Liverpool might consider selling the 32-year-old.
They have also been linked with Raphael Varane, who has left Manchester United as a free agent, and Sergio Ramos, who’s left Sevilla as a free agent. Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is also on their list along with Ederson Moares of Manchester City.
Financial Capabilities
Al-Ittihad didn’t spend a lot last summer as compared to their Saudi Arabian counterparts. They spent over €120 million on new players but signed the likes of N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema on free transfers.
A fifth-placed finish in the league would certainly be a blow to their finances but they would still be expected to spend around a similar amount they did last summer. However, as aforementioned, they are looking at a number of free agents in the market as well.
It appears Al-Ittihad’s first priority would be to look for cheaper opportunities but they wouldn’t shy away from going big for primary targets like Mohamed Salah.
Also Read: Saudi Pro League Transfer Window Predictions 2024: Big Players Who Could Move