Crysencio Summerville starts new Al Hilal era in Roshn Saudi League opener

Crysencio Summerville will make his first official appearance for Al Hilal after being named in Simone Inzaghi’s starting line-up for Friday’s Roshn Saudi League opener against newly promoted Al-Faisaly.

Al Hilal host Al-Faisaly at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, with Summerville selected from the start following his move from West Ham United during the current summer transfer window. Media reports have valued the transfer at 80m euros.

The Netherlands international replaces the injured Salem Al-Dawsari on the left side of Al Hilal’s attack. He will operate alongside Brazil forward Malcom and France striker Karim Benzema in a forward three that gives Inzaghi considerable attacking strength for his first league match in charge.

Summerville’s inclusion is one of two changes involving new arrivals in the starting XI. Right-back Mohammed Al-Mahzari is also set to make his first appearance for the club after joining from Al-Taawoun this summer.

Al-Mahzari will line up in a defence completed by left-back Muteb Al-Harbi and centre-backs Kalidou Koulibaly and Ali Lajami. Hassan Tambakti is unavailable because of injury.

There are no changes to Al Hilal’s midfield from last season. Inzaghi has retained Saudi Arabia international Mohammed Kanno, Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves and Serbia’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in the centre of the pitch.

The match represents the beginning of Al Hilal’s attempt to reclaim the Roshn Saudi League title, which has not been in the club’s trophy cabinet during the past two seasons. Al-Faisaly, meanwhile, are looking to make an immediate impression after winning promotion and will aim to take at least one point from their opening fixture.

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Al Hilal’s starting line-up is:

– Goalkeeper: not specified in the source article – Defence: Mohammed Al-Mahzari, Ali Lajami, Kalidou Koulibaly, Muteb Al-Harbi – Midfield: Mohammed Kanno, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – Attack: Malcom, Karim Benzema, Crysencio Summerville

The fixture gives Summerville the opportunity to begin his Al Hilal career in front of a home crowd, while Inzaghi will be seeking a winning start as the club begins its latest bid for domestic success. The Italian coach has combined the experience of Benzema and Koulibaly with the summer arrivals of Summerville and Al-Mahzari, while retaining the midfield partnership that formed part of last season’s team.