- N’Golo Kante refused to train with his Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad when he forced a move to Europe
- Kante was set to join Turkish giants Fenerbahce, but the deal fell through before the transfer deadline, forcing the former Chelsea star to resort to other tactics
- We look at why players are leaving the riches in the Middle East, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s game at Al-Nassr continues too
N’Golo Kante reportedly reduced his strength and refused to train with Al-Ittihad with the aim of forcing a move from the club, where it was finally agreed.
Source: Getty Images
Kante was supposed to get a transfer from the Saudi Pro League club and join the Turkish giants Fenerbahce, but the transfer was not successful.
Why N’Golo Kante’s transfer hit a snag at first
The clubs had already agreed on a transfer, but the deal was blocked by FIFA, with Fenerbahce saying that Al-Ittihad failed to submit the paperwork on time.
The deal would have seen Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri go the other way to replace Karim Benzema, who left for Al-Hilal, but that too fell through.
Kante refused
TalkSPORT reported that the World Cup winner had gone on strike in a bid to force the move to Turkey.
Considering that the transfer window is already closed, the only way that the former star of Chelsea he would fulfill his wish was if Al-Ittihad terminated his contract to make him a free player. His request was finally granted on Tuesday evening, allowing Fenerbahce to get their man.
“Our club has completed the transfer of N’Golo Kanté, a famous figure in world football,” read part of the statement.
Why are players leaving Saudi Arabia?
But why are players leaving Saudi Arabia just a few years after signing life-changing deals? Cristiano Ronaldo he started to leave with Saudi Arabian clubs offering players a lot of tax-free money to lure them from Europe.
Ronaldo himself is currently involved in a strike and may leave Al-Nasr if things are not resolved.
As GMS reports, several factors have contributed to players seeking an early exit. Among the reasons is the poor attendance with some games attracting less than 1000 fans, which is a big difference for teams that were used to playing in flying stadiums.
The temperature in Saudi Arabia is another factor, as it can rise above 40 degrees Celsius, which makes it difficult to play.
In addition, the lifestyle of Saudi Arabia is different, due to the strict religious and social beliefs they have, which makes it difficult for foreigners to adapt.
Source: Getty Images
Players are also worried about their international careers as the Saudi Arabian league is not very competitive, and they may be overlooked for international jobs. Dutch coach Ronald Koeman has publicly announced that he will not consider calling up Steven Bergwijn after joining Al-Ittihad.
Kante’s move to Europe is also believed to be World Cup-related, as he wants to fit himself into Didier Deschamps’ plans.
In addition to Kante, the former captain of Liverpool Jordan Henderson, Joao Cancelo, Gabriel Veiga, Juanmi, and Talisca are among the players who went to Saudi Arabia and left after a few years. Neymar can be added to the list, but his reasons are as debatable as fitness alone.
Why is Ronaldo on strike?
At the same time, Ronaldo opposes the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the body that manages the major clubs in Saudi Arabia.
The Portuguese star feels that other clubs are getting better treatment compared to his Al-Nassr who are not given money to improve their squad.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
