Ollie Watkins has challenged himself to eclipse Aleksandar Mitrović's achievements at Al-Hilal, declaring his ambition to write his own chapter in the Saudi Pro League's storied history. The English striker, who arrived from Aston Villa this transfer window, made his bold statement following the club's dominant 2-0 victory over Al-Shabab in round five of the Roshn Saudi Pro League.
Watkins acknowledged the Serbian's impressive tenure at the club, which began in summer 2023 after Mitrović departed Fulham. "I watched what Mitrovic did with Al-Hilal. He is certainly a fantastic striker and made great history," Watkins told media representatives. However, the English forward refused to be intimidated by the comparisons that have naturally emerged between the two strikers who travelled similar paths from the Premier League to Saudi Arabia.
Building His Own Legacy
"Every player has a different story, and I am capable of repeating that, and even surpassing it, provided my teammates help me during the coming period," Watkins stated with confidence. The 29-year-old made his debut impact off the bench in Al-Hilal's opening fixture, heading home the third goal in a commanding 3-0 triumph over Al-Ahli. His second appearance against Al-Shabab yielded no goals, yet the forward remains undeterred by the early results.
The direct rivalry between English imports represents a fascinating subplot in Saudi football's evolution. Mitrović established himself as a potent force during his time in the kingdom, setting a benchmark that Watkins now seeks to match and exceed. The newcomer's willingness to embrace the challenge head-on suggests Al-Hilal's recruitment team have secured a player with the mentality required to thrive in competitive continental football and domestic competition.
Al-Hilal's ambitions remain centered on reclaiming silverware across multiple fronts, and Watkins' arrival signals the club's commitment to strengthening their attacking prowess for the remainder of the season and beyond.
