After signings before the season kickoff, strengthening their squad with important players who were at European clubs, Al Hilal can have a very strong starting 11. See how Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus can put together the team’s lineup.
Goalkeeper
Bayern Munich was reportedly interested in signing Yassine Bono, but a bid of €21 million from Al Hilal beat out the German powerhouses in the transfer sweepstakes. The international custodian from Morocco is now Al Hilal’s starting goalie.
ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ ʏʙ37 💙🇲🇦 #AlHilal #BONO_HILALI pic.twitter.com/op5PrugLr3
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) August 17, 2023
Defenders
Yasser Al-Shahrani and Saud Abdulhamid play on the left and right flanks, respectively, while Kalidou Koulibaly and Ali Albulayhi pair up at centre back.
Midfielders
Ruben Neves will team up in midfield with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who has transferred from Lazio to Al Hilal. Marco Verratti’s transfer drama is another one that is still going on, and his potential arrival might even tempt Jorge Jesus to use a 3-4-3 formation. For now, however, Mohamed Kanno is the best choice to complete Al Hilal’s three-man setup in midfield.
Attackers
Neymar, Malcom, and Aleksandar Mitrovic make up the offensive trio for the team, with Mitrovic serving as the side’s primary striker. Brazilian Michael, with years of experience in Saudi Arabia, should be the first replacement option.
Al Hilal offseason recruitment update
- Al Hilal started their summer recruitment plans with an astronomical bid for Lionel Messi.
- The Argentine icon rejected the offer as he decided to join Inter Miami. But that didn’t stop Al Hilal from making a host of top-class additions to their squad ahead of the 2023-24 season.
- Al Hilal and Lucas Digne have been linked extensively. If the left-back from Aston Villa signs a contract with the Riyadh club, Al Shahrani might be forced to sit on the sidelines.
- The unexpected arrival of Ruben Neves demonstrated the team’s commitment to recruiting players younger than 30.
- Malcom, who left Zenit Saint Petersburg to continue playing football in Saudi Arabia, was then signed, continuing the pattern.
- Last week the Riyadh team managed to reinforce their attack line with Neymar (coming from PSG) and Mitrovic (former Fulham player).
