It’s always a bit tough for the new kid on the block. And for the new kids, the Saudi Pro League, it’s been rather similar. The SPL has come under heavy media scrutiny for their transfer dealings this summer. Following the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo, the SPL have also signed the likes of Neymar and added other star names to the mix.

It’s rather apparent that the SPL has dominated world transfer news this summer, apart from perhaps Premier League big spenders, Chelsea. A wide range of pundits, journalists, and fans have criticized the Saudi league for their heavy spending citing that the country is ruining the sport. While others suggest that the SPL is destroying European soccer. However, not all experts share the same views.

Saudi Pro League is helping European soccer not destroying it

According to renowned podcaster and analyst Joe Pompliano, the Saudi league is actually doing Europe’s top leagues a favor.

Speaking on his podcast ‘The Joe Pomp Show’ in episode no.194 titled ‘Why Saudi Arabia Wants To Own World Football’, the host said,

“….Many people have also talked about. That it’s going to destroy European football. I don’t believe that”

“First off, what they’ve done so far, is they’ve come out and they’ve said: we don’t necessarily want to compete with the big five leagues.”

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Further explaining his opinion, Pompliano said, “What they’re currently doing is they’re helping those leagues.”

“I would argue that they are being more helpful than not at this point to a lot of the biggest European leagues.”

The podcaster Pompliano has, in fact, taken a contrarian stance as he thinks the Saudi Pro League model is going a long way in helping European clubs.

Signing players over 30 to benefit European leagues

Pompliano argues that because the SPL is signing players who are on their last legs, it’s actually doing European soccer a world of good.

Elucidating his point, Pompliano says, “And a good example of this is virtually every player that they’ve acquired, big name player, has been north of the age of 30. Most of them in their high 30s, at the tail end of their career. And unwilling or unable to get a similar contract from another club.”

“So in most instances, a lot of these European clubs are selling the players or transferring the players to these Saudi teams, because they’re getting offers that they wouldn’t get anywhere else.”

“They’re able to get out of contracts that they wouldn’t want to pay or wouldn’t want to have on their books, regardless”

“And they’re getting an offer that no other club is able to give them or wants to.”

The podcaster’s analysis is pretty bang-on. The SPL is giving European clubs the chance to get high-wage aging players off their books for transfer fees they wouldn’t usually receive in Europe.

In turn, this is definitely beneficial for European clubs, who have in the past found it difficult to offload their older players.

Pompliano’s comments might come as a surprise to soccer fans, especially considering the amount of money dished out by the SPL. However, his point of view is a very valid and thought-provoking take on the Saudi Pro League’s transfer policy. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.

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