Yasser Al-Qahtani has criticised the recruitment policies of clubs in the Roshn Saudi League, questioning why expensive foreign signings are being left without meaningful opportunities to play.
The former Saudi Arabia and Al-Hilal star raised the issue during an appearance on the Thmanyah network, focusing on overseas players who were brought in to strengthen their teams but have subsequently found themselves outside the regular starting line-up.
Al-Qahtani specifically highlighted French forward George Ilenikhena’s situation at Al-Ittihad. He questioned why the player had not been given a consistent starting role, despite the club signing him to benefit from his abilities.
“Who is responsible for this administrative mess?” Al-Qahtani said, while asking who should be held accountable for the way the transfer has been handled.
His criticism also extended to Al-Ahli and the treatment of Brazilian player Ricardo Matias. Matias was not given the opportunity to feature for the club before moving to Al-Shabab on loan, where he produced impressive performances.
That progress has prompted renewed questions over the decision to sign him in the first place and why he was unable to establish himself at Al-Ahli before leaving on loan.
Al-Qahtani said cases such as those involving Ilenikhena and Matias raise wider concerns about the criteria used to select foreign players. They also highlight questions over the level of coordination between club administrations and coaching staffs before deals are completed.
The former Al-Hilal player argued that the problem becomes particularly clear when players are left out of their team’s plans despite showing that they can perform well elsewhere. A transfer can therefore be completed successfully from a contractual perspective while failing to deliver the intended technical benefit on the pitch.
The issue carries added significance because of the scale of investment made by Saudi clubs in the transfer market. According to the concerns raised by Al-Qahtani, a club’s responsibility does not end when a deal is concluded.
Recruitment decisions must also identify players who fit the squad’s needs and the coach’s tactical plans. That alignment is necessary if clubs are to obtain the maximum sporting value from each signing.
Al-Qahtani’s comments leave Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli facing questions about the value of some of their recent recruitment decisions, particularly when players who were not given regular opportunities have gone on to impress after departing or moving on loan.
The central question raised by the former Saudi international is why millions of riyals are being spent on players who ultimately struggle to find a route into the starting XI.
