Ollie Watkins: Saudi Pro League Matches Premier League Standard

England international Ollie Watkins has likened the Saudi Pro League to the “Premier League quality,” a statement he made after netting a goal during his maiden appearance for Al-Hilal. Watkins' goal contributed to their comfortable 3-0 victory over Al-Ahli, a match reported by ESPN on Wednesday. Entering the game as a second-half substitute, the striker found the back of the net late in the match, converting a header from Sultan Al-Mandash’s cross to seal Al-Hilal's win.

Following the game, Watkins expressed his impressions to ESPN, stating, “The level I saw here today was honestly of Premier League quality.” He further elaborated on the intensity of the encounter, adding, “The match was very strong physically and demanding, and the quality was extremely high.”

Last week, Watkins completed a £51 million transfer to Al-Hilal from Aston Villa. He revealed that the club's impressive showing at the FIFA Club World Cup played a significant role in his decision to move to Saudi Arabia. “I knew straight away to join Al Hilal when the offer came,” Watkins explained. “I watched the FIFA Club World Cup and I saw how well they performed. I always see who’s at the top of the league and they’re always up there.” He further articulated his ambition, saying, “And look, I want to come here. I want to win trophies and I think this team is going to give me the best possible chance of doing that.”

In related football news, reports indicate that José Mourinho has paid tribute to Lionel Messi following his retirement. Additionally, the English Premier League saw controversy as Crystal Palace reportedly blocked a dream transfer to Anfield for Sarr, a situation admitted by Sage. FIFA also confirmed a record-breaking transfer window, with clubs collectively spending $9.89 billion.

The 30-year-old forward conceded that he is still regaining full match fitness, having only had a few training sessions with his new teammates. “I want to score in every game,” Watkins stated. “But I kept going, kept going, and I’m going to get a lot of chances. Ruben Neves and Serge Milinkovic-Savic are very intelligent players, and all I need to do is make the run.” He candidly admitted his current condition: “I’m a bit rusty at the moment, only had a couple of days training, so once I get in the groove, I’m going to be good.”

Before his transfer to Al-Hilal, Watkins enjoyed a productive six-season spell at Aston Villa, having joined the club from Brentford in 2020. During his time at Villa Park, he made 280 appearances and netted an impressive 108 goals.

This latest victory marks Al-Hilal's fourth consecutive win in the Saudi Pro League this season, a result that ensures Simone Inzaghi’s squad remains at the summit of the league standings.