Saudi Arabia clubs, Chelsea and a brewing conspiracy theory

Saudi Arabian clubs attract high-profile transfers, including Kante from Chelsea. Sustainability of money-driven model questioned

Ngolo Kante has been announced as a new Al Ittihad player, joining Karim Benzema at the Saudi club. Who else is making the switch to the oil-rich nation? (Photo credit: Talk Sport)

After seven seasons at Chelsea, Frenchman N’golo Kante has completed a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad, and that’s just one of many high-profile Saudi-bound deals.

Less than a decade ago, Russia moved big on the transfer front, signing top players on big wages in a bid to drive up the relevance of the Russian league.

But it didn’t take long for the model to crash, and all the high-profile players they signed left in droves.

After Kareem Benzema made the move to the oil-rich zone, many top players have crossed the line, and we’re shocked at a few. 

Even if we can understand the ones in the twilight of their careers, how do we explain the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Ruben Neves?

There are loads of things to pick from Neves’ career so far. 

From being highly rated in the Portuguese league to hearing he signed for a championship club in England (Wolves), being linked to Manchester United and Arsenal repeatedly, and always ending up at Molineux when the window closes,

We understand Saudi Arabia is doing everything the country can to attract top talents in a bid to grow their league and improve football appeal, but how sustainable is this money-spinning model? 

Didn’t China try it in futility not too long ago?

To a brewing conspiracy theory that needs attention: how sane is it to learn that a Saudi-backed consortium (Clearlake) bought stakes to the tune of 65%, and you wonder why it’s so easy for Saudi Arabia to poach players from Chelsea?

From Ziyech to Kante, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Khalidou Koulibaly, and other names from Stamford Bridge, is the Saudi consortium helping Chelsea sort out the book and, in turn, helping the Saudi football league?

Beyond that, is it safe to ask if Todd Boehly, the man who has been leading the line since Roman Abramovich left following politically related issues with Ukraine and the subsequent sanctions, is acting as a figurehead?

How sustainable is the Saudi model? 

Throwing money at players and doing everything possible to convince them to join will have consequences. 

With an abundance of wealth available to the clubs over there, will they eventually face the China-Russia situation soon?