The exodus of stars from Europe to the riches of the Saudi League was final summer season’s greatest switch story. The Gulf state left no stone unturned in providing clean cheques to gamers to go away their membership and prop up the Saudi Professional League.
Whereas it has labored out for some, because the likes of Malcom and Aleksandr Mitrovic at Al-Hilal can testify, it has been a nightmare for others.
Jordan Henderson is already transferring again to Europe with Ajax, and now arguably the second-biggest identify within the league, Karim Benzema, appears to be like to have severed ties with Al-Ittihad.
From being banished from coaching to accusations of lack of dedication, the spell in Saudi has been an unmitigated catastrophe for the previous Ballon d’Or winner who’s now searching for a approach again in Europe.
So, which might be Karim Benzema’s subsequent membership? Listed here are the options-
Inter Milan
If the likes of Fabio Quagliarella, Edin Dzeko, Olivier Giroud, and extra have proven us something, it’s that Serie A is a breeding floor for ageing forwards to stretch their careers on the high stage with a sport which defies their age.
Benzema only recently turned 36 and as his sport was by no means actually reliant on him being an explosive participant, it ought to age gracefully. In reality, it was solely about one 12 months in the past that he was main Actual Madrid’s cost in a number of competitions and gained the Ballon d’Or.
Inter don’t face an issue scoring objectives however in Alexis Sanchez, they’ve a disposable asset they will let go to create area for Benzema. Already main the Serie A, this might be the transfer which takes them to the subsequent stage whereas rekindling the aggressive starvation in Benzema.
Manchester United
From a squad-building perspective, this transfer makes nearly an excessive amount of sense. From a monetary perspective, it doesn’t look reasonable in any respect. The truth is someplace in between.
United can actually use Benzema. With their pacy wingers and creating Rasmus Hojlund, Benzema is the participant who can knit all of it collectively at Previous Trafford.
He will definitely be pushed to make his mark since he has by no means performed within the Premier League earlier than. Moreover, that is the proper short-term transfer to let Hojlund be taught from the perfect, away from the highlight, earlier than taking on the mantle himself in a 12 months or two.
Benzema’s wages will probably be a stumbling block, so will any price probably demanded by Al-Ittihad. Nonetheless, if the funds in some way work out, this transfer makes excellent sense for each, the participant and the membership.
Chelsea
Todd Boehly’s technique of filling up the squad with children of long-term contracts has been unsuccessful, to place it politely. It has resulted in a jumbled mess on the sector the place there’s a lack of readability of roles and management.
Gamers like Nicolas Jackson, Armando Broja, and Mykhailo Mudryk can probably be world-class with the fitting dressing room round them however it’s simply not there in the meanwhile.
Who higher to convey some management and expertise than a participant who has actually been there and carried out all of it? This Chelsea youth mission wants a shot within the arm of somebody skilled to guide the staff’s improvement and Benzema matches the profile completely.