Michael Emenalo, director of football at the Saudi Pro League, says the overall ambition of the competition is to attract all the world’s top players and become a league for exceptional players only within a “few short years”.
The revamped Saudi top-flight, currently one of the major storylines in football, kicked off on Friday following a summer of unprecedented investment, with the likes of Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, N’Golo Kante and Jordan Henderson now playing in the kingdom.
The league has publicly stated its aim to eventually rank as one of the world’s top-10 domestic football competitions.
Speaking on the opening weekend of the 2023/24 season, Emenalo said: “I would love to have Kylian Mbappe here. I would love to have Harry Kane here. The league would like to have all the top players.
“And I think it will be at the heart of this whole particular strategy: it is that, in a couple of years, in a few short years, this will become a league for exceptional players only.
“It will become a league only for those who at the top of their game because we have only 18 clubs and the space for just eight international players [at each club].
“And, yes, we have resources and we're going to use those resources to make sure, once we build up infrastructure, that the only players here are the ones at the top of their game.”
Emenalo, technical director with Premier League side Chelsea from 2011-2017, was appointed last month to head the Saudi Pro League’s new Player Acquisition Centre of Excellence, which provides a centralised approach to transfers. His role involves assisting with “squad mapping”, where Emenalo works on international transfers with all 18 top-tier clubs.
The league says Pace will help offer all clubs the “best possible expertise and governance to ensure a dynamic, young, yet sustainable future”, including implementing best practices in relation to scouting and recruitment.
“We want a disciplined structure that allows the clubs to manage their affairs efficiently,” Emenalo said. “Whether it’s finance or recruitment, or coaching, we want them to be as efficient as possible.
“The idea again is for every club to earn what they get – now and in the future. That’s the starting point. As time goes on, we will look at it to see if it works.
“The goal is to become sustainable. Once that is figured out, we will move in a different direction.”
Emenalo said the new structure also placed emphasis on developing Saudi footballers and, in collaboration with the Saudi Arabia Football Federation and the league’s clubs, to open a more obvious pathway for young local players.
On Friday, the Saudi Pro League season opener between Al Ahli and Al Hazem in Jeddah featured high-profile foreigner players in Mahrez, Firmino, Allan Saint-Maximin, Franck Kessie, Edouard Mendy and Roger Ibanez. All six joined Ahli, one of four clubs majority-owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund, this window.
Allan Saint-Maximin praises Al Ahli fans
A former Nigeria international, Emenalo said he did not believe the Saudi Pro League would require as long as the “trailblazing” Premier League to realise its overarching objective.
“I don't think is going to take the same amount of time that it took the Premier League to get there for us to establish ourselves,” he said. “As you can see from the [opening] game, the line-up that Al Ahli have, most Premier League clubs would be happy to have.
“In that sense I believe we are on the right path and that it will not take us as long to get to where the ambition has always been, which is to be one of the best in the world.”
Earlier this month, the Premier League chief executive, Richard Masters, said he was not “too concerned” about the level of the kingdom’s recent spending, while Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called for the Saudi Pro League transfer window, which extends beyond its European counterparts, to September 7, to fall in line with those competitions.
Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said last month that Saudi Arabia had “changed the market” and that clubs “need to be aware of what is happening” regarding the possibility of losing players to the kingdom.
Asked whether the Premier League and its European peers feared the enhanced Saudi investment, Emenalo stressed the Saudi Pro League was not attempting to undermine the established order as LIV Golf had done with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
“The European leagues, especially the Premier League, are very strong, [are] entrenched; they have no reason to be scared,” Emenalo said. “I do feel they consider our presence to be disruptive. I have said we’re disruptive to enhance the understanding.
“There is panic in some areas, but this is from a misunderstanding of what we stand for, what we are trying to do. [Once they understand] then they will start panicking less and working with us.
Saudi Pro League signings so far
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Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr): The transfer that started it all. The Portuguese superstar moved to the Saudi Pro League in January after his acrimonious exit from Manchester United. Ronaldo scored 14 goals in his first 16 Saudi Pro League games. AFP -
Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad): The first statement signing of the summer transfer window, Ballon d'Or holder Benzema joined the Saudi champions after agreeing an exit from Real Madrid. The French striker was welcomed with a fittingly grand ceremony. Reuters -
N'Golo Kante (Al Ittihad): The French midfielder soon followed Benzema to Ittihad once his Chelsea contract expired. Kante, a two-time Premier League winner and World Cup champion, adds further glamour to the Saudi Pro League. AFP -
Ruben Neves (Al Hilal): By far the most expensive player in Saudi Pro League history. While Ronaldo and Benzema are the bigger global names, both arrived on free transfers. Portuguese midfielder Neves shattered the transfer record by moving to Hilal from Wolves for £47 million. AP -
Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal): After completing the record-breaking move for Neves, Hilal turned their attention to Koulibaly, recruiting the Senegalese centre-back for £20m. Despite a difficult season at Chelsea, Koulibaly has been one of the standout defenders of his generation. AFP -
Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli): Before his long-term shoulder injury, Mendy was one of the best goalkeepers in the world, winning the Champions League with Chelsea and Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal. His £16m move to Ahli can help revive his career. AFP -
Jota (Al Ittihad): The Saudi champions are making major moves this summer, and the £25m acquisition of Portuguese winger Jota boosts an attack led by Benzema. PA -
Marcelo Brozovic (Al Nassr): Arriving to provide support to Ronaldo at Nassr, Croatian midfielder Brozovic joined the Saudi club for £15m after another impressive season for Champions League finalists Inter Milan. AFP -
Steven Gerrard (Al Ettifaq): Major arrivals are not only happening on the pitch but in the dugout. Former Rangers and Aston Villa manager Gerrard was appointed by Ettifaq and will aim to revive his career in Saudi. AFP -
Roberto Firmino (Al Ahli): The former Liverpool forward left Anfield after eight successful seasons to lead the attack at Ahli. @ALAHLI_FC / Twitter -
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Al Hilal): Arguably the most eye-catching deal of the summer. The 28-year-old Serbia midfielder has frequently been linked with Europe's biggest clubs but has opted to join Hilal in a €40m deal. His midfield partnership with Ruben Neves would be the envy of many European teams. Reuters -
Jordan Henderson (Al Ettifaq): The former Liverpool captain is expected to wear the armband following his move from the Premier League giants. The midfielder departed Anfield after 12 years, seven major trophies and 492 appearances. Reuters -
Alex Telles (Al Nassr): The Brazilian defender linked up with former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr this summer. Telles spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Sevilla, helping the Spanish club win the Europa League. He joined Nassr for a reported fee of £4 million. Getty -
Riyad Mahrez (Al Ahli) - Algerian winger Mahrez left Manchester City after five years at the Etihad Stadium in which he won 11 major trophies. In all, he made 236 appearances, scoring 78 goals. Reuters -
Allan Saint-Maximin (Al Ahli): The French winger signed for Jeddah giants Al Ahli on a three-year contract after confirming his departure from Newcastle. During his four years on Tyneside, Saint-Maximin scored 13 goals in 124 appearances. AFP -
Fabinho (Al Ittihad): An integral part of a Liverpool squad that won the Champions League and Premier League in successive seasons following his move from Monaco in 2019. Capped 29 times for his country, the Brazilian midfielder joined the Saudi Pro League champions on a three-year contract. AP -
Sadio Mane (Al Nassr): After six highly successful years at Liverpool, in which he won the Premier League and Uefa Champions League titles, Mane endured a frustrating season at Bayern Munich, though he contributed to their title success. The Senegalese, 31, will be part of a fearsome attacking line up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Nassr. Getty -
Malcom (Al Hilal): Not content with breaking the Saudi Pro League transfer record once, Al Hilal did so twice this summer and made Brazilian winger Malcom the most expensive player in Saudi football history. AFP -
Seko Fofana (Al Nassr): A player in demand this summer after a superb season to help Lens run PSG close in Ligue 1, the Ivory Coast midfielder opted to link up with Ronaldo at Al Nassr over moves elsewhere in Europe. AC Milan had been strongly linked. AFP -
Franck Kessie (Al Ahli): The Ivory Coast midfielder's time at Barcelona may not have worked out but he remains a top-level operator and adds more quality and star power to Al Ahli. Getty -
Moussa Dembele (Al Ettifaq): A shrewd free transfer by Gerrard's Al Ettifaq, the French striker has moved to the Saudi Pro League side on a four-year deal and should provide the goals. AFP -
Neymar (Al Hilal). The Brazilian completed his move from PSG and is one of the biggest stars in the ever-expanding Saudi Pro League. He was unveiled in front of thousands of fans in Riyadh on Saturday. Getty -
Yannick Carrasco (Al Shabab). After 265 appearances across two spells at Atletico Madrid, the Belgian winger joined the Riyadh club for a reported fee of €15 million. Carrasco also spent two years in the Chinese Super League. EPA -
Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq): The Dutch midfielder enhanced the Liverpool connection at Ettifaq, joining former teammate Jordan Henderson at the Damman club coached by Reds legend Steven Gerrard. Wijnaldum, 32, has signed a three-year contract. Reuters -
Gabri Veiga (Al Ahli): Widely regarded as one of the best midfield prospects in Spain, 21-year-old Veiga signed for Ahli on a three-year deal from Celta Vigo despite interest from Liverpool and Napoli. Veiga said he opted for the Saudi Pro League to "grow the game" in the kingdom. EPA -
Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr): A vital part of Manchester City's squad that clinched a treble of league, cup and Uefa Champions League in 2023, the Spaniard switched to Nassr over the summer to link up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. A fee of £23.6 million makes the 29-year-old the league's most expensive defender. Getty Images -
Otavio (Al Nassr): The Portugal midfielder scored 31 goals in 283 games in all competitions for Porto after joining the team in 2014. He linked up with Riyadh-based club after Porto accepted a bid of around $65 million. AFP -
Merih Demiral: (Al Ahli): The imposing Turkey centre-back boasts Sporting of Lisbon and Juventus among his previous clubs and stood out in Serie A across two seasons at Atalanta. The 25-year-old joined Ahli on a three-year contract. Getty
“I was told what Mr Klopp said and what Guardiola said. One is a coach I absolutely admire and the other is a good friend of mine, in Pep.
“I understand their concerns. Our goal is to work together with all the leagues and be a brotherhood in the football industry. We want to establish our place in the industry in a way that helps everyone.”
Emenalo said he had received countless messages from players from outside Saudi after Ahli’s 3-1 victory against Hazem – Firmino, the former Liverpool forward, scored a hat-trick – who, having watched the match, said their perception of the league had changed.
“Surprisingly, the biggest concern is narrative, and we have to demolish some of these very outrageous narratives out there that there is something wrong with the Saudi League or with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Emenalo said.
“That’s what they worry about, but I cannot tell you how many calls or messages I got last night from players who had stayed up to watch this game because they wanted to see and, after they saw it, thought: ‘You know what, it’s not what I expected. I would love to be part of it.’”
Saudi’s traditional four lead clubs – Ahli, champions Al Ittihad, record league winners Al Hilal, and Al Nassr – are now majority-owned by PIF. Thus, they have been by some way the biggest recruiters in the league this summer.
On whether he was wary of the league effectively becoming a two-tier competition separated by that financial divide, Emenalo said: “Great question, but there's no problem here. Because this is something that we've witnessed.
“The clubs in England or Spain or Italy were not owned by a big organisation called PIF. But they were big clubs, and they had significantly greater economic power than the other clubs.
“I don't think it's a problem; I think it is a challenge for those clubs. And as you saw yesterday, on the pitch, Al Hazem accepted that challenge and, realised that, ‘We can't sit here and cry about what we're getting; we have to show that we're in this league, and we're happy to be in this league and compete’.
“What we hope to have is what's happened in the Premier League: is that over time, there is a competitive balance that comes in from people in these clubs working really well, with the support of the league to improve their situation financially, structurally, and in terms of their technical ability to recruit and prepare well for games.”
Emenalo added: “We have strategy about improving the quality of the league, and the quality of every team. And we believe that if we do that, that will improve the competitive balance of the league. There’s no strategy to help a struggling team acquire a big name or a great team to lose a big name.
“But we’re looking strategically to improve all the teams giving them what they need within their budget, because you have to earn those players.
“So, a club like Al Hilal, [who] over a number of years have been a top club in this league, we can’t suddenly forget that. The same thing with all the other big clubs; they have earned the right to be at the top of the tree.”
Emenalo, who said some of the figures reported regarding transfer fees and player contracts have been inflated, confirmed the league had not completed its incomings this window.
On Sunday, it was reported Hilal were close to finalising a hugely lucrative deal for Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar.
“There's always more business to be done,” Emenalo said. “I don't know what the calibre of that business will be. We're always open for some surprises, something big to happen.
“But now the clubs are working frantically to improve their squad, and they will continue to do that until the end of the transfer window. It’s no different from what goes on in [other prominent leagues].
“There's some transfers and some deals that are in the pipeline already, for the different clubs.”
