A new Hilal: Inzaghi settles the situation of Martinelli and Watkins ahead of the Al-Shabab derby

When Ollie Watkins scored on his debut in the Clasico, Al-Hilal fans had reason to dream of a new era. But just 24 hours before the derby against Al-Shabab, Gabriel Martinelli – the €65 million signing from Arsenal – also joined the squad. The chain of evidence never lies – only those who read hastily deceive themselves. And what has unfolded in Riyadh over the past few days is a complete picture of ambition, risk, and market logic.

Context: A two-horse race and the pressure of perfection

Al-Hilal leads the Roshn Saudi League with a perfect 12 points from 4 matches, but only ahead of Al-Nassr on goal difference. The 3-0 Clasico victory over Al-Ahli last week was a strong statement, but it also created enormous expectations for the Riyadh derby against Al-Shabab. The opponent is not a title contender, but always a dangerous challenger – especially when Al-Hilal carries the mentality of a newly upgraded team.

Core analysis: Two signings, two stories

Ollie Watkins, 28, arrived from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee estimated between €50-70 million. He proved his value immediately: a goal against Al-Ahli just 30 minutes after coming on. This is a positive signal for the dressing room – a new signing scoring quickly reduces pressure and reinforces confidence in the recruitment strategy. Watkins fits Inzaghi's 3-5-2 or 4-3-3 system thanks to his pressing ability, pace, and penalty-box movement. My experience watching matches shows that strikers accustomed to the Premier League usually need less adaptation time in the Saudi League, as the intensity here is gradually increasing.

Gabriel Martinelli, 23, is a different story. The €65 million fee reflects fair market value for a young winger who started for Arsenal in the Champions League. However, the timing of the signing – less than 24 hours before the derby – raises questions about match readiness. Martinelli may be registered in the matchday squad, but starting is highly unlikely. The brighter the stage, the deeper the contract hides in the shadows. Here, the shadow is the lack of training time and tactical understanding. Inzaghi may use him as a second-half substitute, both to let him experience the derby atmosphere and to avoid disrupting a winning lineup.

Contrarian view: The trap of perfection

Al-Hilal is on a four-match winning streak. This is an advantage, but also a psychological trap. The 3-0 win over Al-Ahli could create overconfidence, leading players to underestimate Al-Shabab. In football, derbies often defy league table logic. Al-Shabab will play with 200% determination to spoil the party of their city rivals. If Al-Hilal loses, the narrative will instantly shift from 'new era' to 'expensive but disjointed team'. People call it a blockbuster; I call it a check paid with the future. And that future will be shaped in the next 90 minutes.

Another risk is dressing-room disruption. The arrival of two top attacking players will push current players like Salem Al-Dawsari (if still at the club) or other forwards to the bench. How Inzaghi manages the egos of players will determine team cohesion. So far, Watkins has scored and created positive energy, but Martinelli needs time. If results turn sour, media pressure will fall on both the coach and the new signings.

Takeaway: The first test of the 'New Hilal'

The derby against Al-Shabab is not just another match. It is a test of Al-Hilal's 'win-now' ambition, Inzaghi's integration ability, and the maturity of a team being rebuilt. If Watkins and Martinelli contribute to a victory, the narrative will be reinforced. If not, the first cracks will appear. And as I have written many times: Rumors are the cheapest commodity in the market; evidence is the real currency. We will have evidence after 90 minutes tonight.