Salem Al-Dawsari’s Al-Hilal future may depend on a changing role

Al-Hilal have transformed their attacking options during the summer transfer window, signing Dutch forward Cresencio Summerville, England striker Ollie Watkins and Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli. The arrivals have intensified competition for places at the front of the team, while Malcom and Karim Benzema have departed and Salem Al-Dawsari continues his recovery ahead of a return to action.

When Al-Dawsari is available again, the key question will not be whether he can still contribute. Instead, it will be where he fits into an attack now built around younger, faster players who operate at a high tempo.

The difference in speed, energy and decision-making in open spaces between Al-Hilal’s new attacking options and their captain is becoming increasingly clear. That does not diminish Al-Dawsari’s importance or achievements, but it may require him to think differently about his role rather than simply expecting to start every match.

Summerville offers pace, direct running and the ability to carry the ball over long distances. Sultan Mandash provides another energetic option in transition, with the capacity to retain possession and break through defensive lines.

That intensity could make it difficult for Al-Dawsari to maintain the same level across every game, particularly as he is older than the other attacking choices. However, his changing circumstances should not be mistaken for the end of his influence.

His experience, intelligence and ability to decide important matches could make him one of Al-Hilal’s most valuable weapons when introduced from the bench.

Martinelli’s arrival represents the biggest change to Al-Dawsari’s position within the team. The Brazilian operates in a broadly similar area of the pitch and combines physical and technical qualities that make him a strong candidate to start.

His speed, direct movement, ability to run at defenders and capacity to play at a high tempo give him a clear advantage in certain aspects of the role.

Summerville is expected to be one of the leading options on the opposite wing, while Watkins gives manager Simone Inzaghi a recognised centre-forward with mobility and the ability to press.

Together, those signings give Al-Hilal a younger and quicker attack, making the battle for starting positions particularly demanding for Al-Dawsari as he attempts to reclaim his place.

The issue is not a comparison of his overall value with that of Summerville or Martinelli. Rather, it reflects the demands of the modern game and the direction in which Al-Hilal are moving under Inzaghi. The Italian coach wants a side capable of pressing aggressively and switching quickly from defence to attack, physical requirements that can become harder to meet with age.

As a result, Al-Dawsari may struggle to guarantee a permanent starting place, especially if Martinelli begins the season at the expected level. But a reduced number of starts would not mean a reduced value. It could instead lead to a different role in which his qualities become especially important in specific situations.

Al-Hilal have historical examples of iconic players adapting in this way. Sami Al-Jaber and Yousuf Al-Thunayan both went through periods in which they spent time on the bench, yet their standing within the club was unaffected. They were still called upon when Al-Hilal needed their experience and personality.

That model could suit Al-Dawsari in the next stage of his career. Starting on the bench would not necessarily mean he had become less important. He could be held in reserve for the moment when an opponent’s defence begins to tire and Al-Hilal need a player capable of changing the game or seeing out a result.

Al-Dawsari is not merely competing for a place. He is one of the most prominent figures in Al-Hilal’s modern history, and his success in the coming years may depend largely on how he responds to the changes around him.

If he insists on starting every match and maintaining that status for many more seasons, the challenge will be extremely difficult with Martinelli, Summerville and other attacking options competing for places.

But if he accepts the evolution that comes with age, becoming a leader who guides the team from the bench before entering when Inzaghi needs him, his influence could last for much longer.

Al-Hilal now possess an attack with greater speed and aggression, with Martinelli appearing the leading candidate for the left-wing position. Al-Dawsari’s presence does not have to conflict with that strength; it can become another part of it.

The most relevant question, therefore, may not be whether Salem Al-Dawsari will continue at Al-Hilal. The more difficult question is what role he will have: a regular starter fighting against a new generation, or an established legend who knows when to wait and when to enter the game to make the decisive difference?