Al-Ittihad coach plans to give Fabinho injured “Hijazi” roles

Portuguese coach Nuno Santo, Al-Ittihad coach, is looking to strengthen the defensive aspects of his team with the centers of the defensive axis and one of the best players in the center of defense, Brazilian Fabinho Tavares, as well as to compensate for the forced ones. The absence of Egyptian professional Ahmed Hegazi, who is in a treatment and rehabilitation program after cruciate ligament surgery.

Brazilian Fabinho is officially on the brink of a move to Al-Ittihad after Liverpool gave the green light for the player to undergo a medical to complete a deal with the Saudi Roshan Professional League champions, and he is waiting for the player to win. As “Middle East” pointed out, tests to join the team’s roster as a replacement for Egyptian Tariq Hamed in the previous issue.

As reported by the “Sky Sports” network (Saturday), Fabinho was excluded from the list of Liverpool players who will travel to a preparatory camp in Germany in preparation for the new season, and the Brazilian midfielder has agreed to go. Al-Ittihad said that the club, and Liverpool have given permission for the player to undergo a medical and have completed the official procedures for the 40 million pound ($52.36 million) deal.

Coach Santo will use Fabinho in the center of defense to compensate for the loss of Hegazi, who completed a treatment and rehabilitation program following surgery on his cruciate ligament.

The 29-year-old is expected to return to the defensive midfield position with the physicality and technical readiness of Hegazi and will be re-booked in the squad after comparisons between a number of existing players.

Brazilian Fabinho will undergo medical tests to confirm his physical and technical readiness before signing his contract with the club, according to frequent reports, following developments in handling negotiations with the Saudi club. with Liverpool club officials.

Fabinho joined Liverpool from Monaco in 2018 and made 219 appearances for the team, crowning him with titles such as the English Premier League and the European Champions League.

The defensive midfielder began his football career with the first team at Fluminense before moving to Rio Ave in June 2012, and a month later he joined Real Madrid Castilla on a season-long loan deal, before moving to Monaco, Liverpool announced in May. The 2018 player addition is on a long-term contract.

Al-Ittihad Club strengthened its squad during the summer mercado with the addition of Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, who won the Ballon d’Or, and his World Cup-winning compatriot from Chile, midfielder N’Golo Kante, along with the Portuguese.

Al-Ittihad have already signed Ballon d’Or-winning French striker Karim Benzema and his World Cup-winning compatriot midfielder N’Golo Kante, while Celtic Scotland star Portuguese Julio Felipe (Joda) Sultan Al-Farhan has been added to Al-Raed.

On the other hand, the federation’s management is studying several options to benefit from the loan of team-mate Abdul Rahman Al-Aboud, who is tied to the club with a contract that extends until 2026. Clubs strike a transfer deal with a super-player impressed as a replacement to add him to the team’s roster for the season, amid the player’s request for financial clearance to allow him to transfer to any club.

According to Asharq Al-Awsad, a club in the capital Riyadh is interested in benefiting from the player’s services, while matters are expected to be resolved within the next few days.

Coach Sando is the farthest away player waiting to decide his next destination with Abdulaziz Al-Bishi and Hamdan Al-Shamrani having moved to Damac on loan.

The confederation will begin its participation in the new sporting season with the King Salman Cup for Champions Clubs later this month, as they are in Group A with Tunisian Esperance, Iraqi Police and Tunisian Sfaxien.

In addition to the Arab Championship, the federation is represented by participating in 5 competitions, the Saudi Roshan Professional League, the Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup, the Saudi Super Cup, the AFC Champions League and the Club World Cup.

Al-Ittihad will begin their campaign in the Arab Championship by facing Esperance de Tunis on 27 July amid Al-Ittihad’s desire for a perfect start to the season, having secured their second title in the championship in the 2005 season.

The confederation will look to retain the league and super titles and aim for the team’s first-ever world title, while looking to make a strong return to the continental stage by claiming the King’s Cup and becoming AFC Champions for the third time.

Saudi Professional League champions Al-Ittihad will face Oceania champions Auckland City in the Club World Cup next December.

On the other hand, former Al-Ittihad captain Mohamed Noor is planning to hold a retirement ceremony at the end of the current calendar year as the consolidation to play for a European Champions League club is expected to take place. A clash that will bring Noor back to shake hands with fans at the Radioactive Jewel Stadium in Jeddah.

After a successful career at Al-Akhtar, Al-Ittihad and Al-Nasr Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Noor retired from football two seasons ago, announcing his retirement in December 2020.