IVAN TONEY’S claim that the Saudi Pro League is “on a par” with the Premier League left me gobsmacked.
England international Toney even insisted his team Al-Ahli would finish “close to the top four” in the Prem.
Five-time Ballon D’Or winner Ronaldo also suggested the Saudi league is right up there with the best in Europe.
These two have been enjoying too many Arabian nights out if they seriously think that.
Footballers have every right to ply their trade where they want.
It is a short, perilous and fluctuating career and if the Saudis are paying top dollar then I am the last person to deny a player a pay day.
But to put Saudi’s nascent project — going since 2008 — alongside the world’s gold standard in football isn’t just a stretch, it’s nonsense.
Granted, any league that boasts Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez can’t be rubbish.
But most, if not all, are in the autumn or winter of their careers.
Al-Hilal may have beaten Manchester City at the farcical Club World Cup but I reckon Pep Guardiola’s boys were as interested in it as I am in stamp collecting.
The Saudi Pro League just isn’t widely watched, even in Saudi Arabia.
Last term’s average gate was 8,354 with our League One at 10,102 and League Two 6,090.
Toney’s club admittedly averaged just over 20,000 but that is still less than 12 Championship teams. Hull got more at home than Al-Ahli.
Ex-Brentford ace Toney also insists scoring in front of banks of empty seats makes no difference.
He said: “It doesn’t matter if there are ten, 10,000 or 20,000 watching.”
Pull the other one. I’ve yet to meet a footballer who would prefer to play in front of three men and a dog ahead of packed stadium.
With huge investment, the Saudi Pro League will perhaps one day reach a competitive standard worth genuine respect.
Toney is entitled to his view but the facts are simple — the Saudi Pro League may have money, stars and ambition but it won’t for a long time be on a par with the Prem.
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