Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney are set for another meeting on the pitch, this time far from the Premier League, as Al-Hilal host Al-Ahli in Riyadh on Tuesday in what promises to be the season's first major test between two of the Saudi Pro League's title contenders.
The pair last shared the field for England during the World Cup third-place playoff in Miami, a 6-4 thriller against France, where they combined for 33 minutes together. Now they find themselves on opposing sides in Saudi Arabia's top flight, each hoping to establish himself as the primary deputy to Harry Kane under new England head coach Thomas Tuchel as a fresh international cycle begins.
Watkins made the move to Al-Hilal this summer, joining a club with an imposing pedigree — 19 domestic league titles and four Asian Champions League triumphs. The Blues have started the campaign in devastating form, netting nine goals across their opening two league fixtures, and Watkins will benefit from a supporting cast that includes Rúben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Crysencio Summerville and potentially Gabriel Martinelli. Despite finishing second last season — a result deemed unacceptable at a club of Al-Hilal's stature — pressure remains on head coach Simone Inzaghi, who has faced criticism for letting rivals Al-Nassr, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, claim the title.
Toney, by contrast, arrived in the Middle East two years ago to join Al-Ahli in Jeddah under Matthias Jaissle. After a slower start, he finished his debut campaign with 23 league goals and helped the club win its first-ever Asian Champions League title. He followed that up with 32 league goals last season, narrowly missing out on the Golden Boot to Julián Quiñones on the final matchday, though he did collect a second continental crown. Toney has continued that form into the new season, scoring four goals in three appearances, and Al-Ahli — despite only one domestic league title in more than 40 years — will be targeting more silverware this term.
Before reuniting as opponents, the two forwards reportedly used their time together in the United States to discuss life in Saudi Arabia, with Toney well placed to offer guidance given his two years of experience in the league. Watkins now faces the challenge of adjusting not just to a new competitive environment but also to the searing Riyadh climate, where daytime temperatures can reach the mid-forties before easing as the season progresses.
The financial backdrop to both transfers reflects a shift in strategy among Saudi Pro League clubs. After the eye-catching spending spree of 2023 — when clubs collectively spent more than £700m on established stars such as Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané — the emphasis has moved toward younger, cheaper signings with resale potential, such as Al-Hilal's Théo Hernandez and teenage striker Mohamed Kader Meïté. Watkins, arriving at 30 for a reported fee just over £50m, represents a slightly different kind of investment, though not an outlandish one by modern transfer standards.
Al-Hilal's ownership situation has also evolved, with the club — part of the Public Investment Fund's Big Four takeover in 2023 — recently passing into the hands of businessman Prince Al Waleed bin Talal.
For Aston Villa supporters, attention will also turn to how Nicolas Jackson fills the void left by Watkins' departure, beginning with Monday's fixture against Arsenal — a scenario reminiscent of Toney's own emergence at Brentford after Watkins left in 2020.
With both forwards vying for international recognition as well as domestic glory, Tuesday's meeting in Riyadh carries significance well beyond the Saudi table, offering Watkins and Toney a platform to press their case to Tuchel ahead of next month's Nations League squad selection.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.