Nostalgic Picks Stir Up a Storm: The Best-Of List That Has Fans Talking

Overview

Saleh Al-Shehri, the striker for Al-Ittihad and the Saudi national team, shared his picks for the league’s best players, each chosen for a distinctive quality.

He is in his second season with Al-Ittihad after moving from Al-Hilal, a club where he spent a long stretch, and that history shows in his selections.

On the Saudi Pro League's official YouTube channel, Al-Shehri was asked to name his favorites, and he answered with the following choices.

Selections

In terms of shooting power, he picked his former Hilal teammate Mohammed Kanno as the midfielder with the strongest strike.

For the best right foot, he leaned toward another Hilal star, captain Salem Al-Dosari of the national team.

Al-Dosari is also named by Al-Shehri as the complete player, while he chose Al-Ittihad’s former midfielder Abdullah Otayf as the smartest player in his view.

Salman Al-Faraj, the former captain of Al-Hilal, was selected by Al-Shehri as the owner of the best left foot.

Only one of his current teammates made the cut for fastest, Abdulrahman Al-Aboud, when asked about speed.

Controversy followed

Al-Shehri’s selections drew significant controversy, especially among Al-Ittihad fans, as some felt the choices were more favorable to his former club, while others believed the picks overlooked his current squad.

Several supporters reacted on X, arguing the picks were a biased nod to his ex-team, while others argued the striker had betrayed his current club by naming rivals.

Some argued that Al-Shehri is protecting his place in the national squad and thus offered praise to a few stars.

Season and directions

In terms of performance, Al-Shehri has not delivered the expected level this season; he has one goal in seven appearances, with that goal coming in the King’s Cup.

Since joining Al-Ittihad last season, he has played 29 matches, scoring seven goals and providing two assists, still expected to offer more during a season full of challenges and the aim of defending domestic titles.

Wind of change

Early on, Al-Ittihad’s management decided to part ways with French coach Laurent Blanc and bring in a new technical director after a period of unstable results.

Al-Ittihad lost 2-0 to Al-Nassr in the fourth round of the league, accelerating Blanc’s departure from the club.

Conceição in the frame

Portuguese manager Sérgio Conceição is among the leading European names mentioned as a potential future coach for Al-Ittihad, thanks to his strong personality and clear tactical approach.

Known for Porto’s style—organized defense, disciplined tactics, and rapid transitions—Conceiçao is thought to favor a high-pressing game in advanced zones to force turnovers, while maintaining solidity in the back three or four.

He typically uses a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation, with wide players allowed to attack quickly and utilize the flanks. Conceição is known for his decisiveness and for instilling discipline and fighting spirit in teams, qualities the Union needs after a dip in form.

In addition, his track record with youth development and increasing players’ physical and mental readiness could help Al-Ittihad regain European-level competitiveness, even when budgets lag behind the continent’s giants. His persona is intense but approachable, a balance the club hopes will resonate with players while maintaining a strict implementation of his ideas.

Appointing Conceição could be a landmark move, leveraging his experience with pressure-packed games and top-tier clashes to restore balance and cohesion both defensively and offensively, potentially reviving the team’s ambitions for trophies this season.