Khamis Al-Zahrani, an Al-Ittihad icon, has publicly urged Houssem Aouar and Youssef En-Nesyri to leave the Saudi club before the upcoming campaign begins. Speaking to Al-Arabiya, the club legend raised serious concerns about the squad's depth and tactical fit under new manager Jens Wissing.
Al-Zahrani argues that the Algerian midfielder and Moroccan forward cannot meet the demands Wissing will place on his players. "Al-Ittihad is heading into a very big season, but it suffers from a problem in depth," he explained. The German coach's system requires direct play, pressing and quick transition—attributes Al-Zahrani believes neither Aouar nor En-Nesyri currently possess at the required level. Fabinho, whose contract has expired, also finds himself under scrutiny as Al-Ittihad reshapes its midfield.
Recruitment Priorities and Timeline Concerns
According to Al-Zahrani, Al-Ittihad must act decisively and quickly. The club plans to bring in two new midfielders: one as Fabinho's direct replacement and another operating in a similar mould to Mamadou Doumbia. Aouar's future remains uncertain and tied to foreign player quota regulations. However, Al-Zahrani warns of mounting pressure. "Time is extremely tight," he stated, citing financial difficulties and the challenge of integrating a new manager unfamiliar with leading a club of Al-Ittihad's stature.
The club's recruitment window represents a critical juncture. Wissing has identified specific gaps in the squad and must be backed with swift signings to bridge them. Whether Aouar and En-Nesyri will depart voluntarily or face tactical displacement remains unclear, but Al-Zahrani's intervention signals mounting internal doubts about their long-term place in Wissing's project. Al-Ittihad's competitive ambitions in the Saudi Pro League and continental competitions hinge on resolving these questions before the season unfolds.
