Yasser Al-Qahtani questions Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli spending on overlooked foreign players

Yasser Al-Qahtani has renewed the debate over recruitment policies in the Roshn Saudi League after criticising the way several foreign signings have been handled by their clubs.

Speaking on Thmanyah, the former Saudi Arabia and Al Hilal player questioned why some players had been recruited to strengthen their teams but were then given little or no opportunity to play.

Al-Qahtani focused first on French forward George Ilenikhena’s situation at Al-Ittihad. He asked why the player had not been consistently selected in the starting line-up despite the club signing him to benefit from his abilities.

“Who is responsible for this administrative mess?” Al-Qahtani said.

His criticism also extended to Al-Ahli, where he highlighted the case of Brazilian Ricardo Matias. Matias was not given an opportunity to feature for the club before moving to Al-Shabab on loan.

The player subsequently produced impressive performances, raising further questions about the decision to sign him and why he was not used at Al-Ahli.

Al-Qahtani said such cases cast doubt on the criteria used to select foreign players and on the level of coordination between club management and coaching staff before transfers are completed.

He argued that the problem becomes particularly clear when a player is left outside a team’s plans despite possessing the ability to perform well elsewhere.

The issue has gained greater importance because of the scale of investment by Saudi clubs in the transfer market. According to Al-Qahtani’s argument, a club’s responsibility does not end when a signing is completed.

It must also identify players who fit the team’s needs and the coach’s tactical plans, ensuring that each transfer provides the greatest possible sporting benefit.

The situations involving Ilenikhena and Matias have therefore placed renewed focus on the value of some of Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli’s recruitment decisions.

Both cases involve players who did not receive a significant chance before leaving or being sent out on loan, only to draw attention through their performances elsewhere.

Al-Qahtani’s comments leave a central question for the two clubs: why spend millions on players who ultimately cannot find a route into the starting line-up?