Young French striker George Ellyninka, who recently joined Al-Ittihad during the last winter transfer window, announced his complete readiness to participate in the upcoming matches with his team, most notably the anticipated match against Al-Nasr.

In an enthusiastic message to the fans, George Ellienkina said in a video posted on Al-Ittihad's official accounts Thursday evening: "I'm ready and I've arrived here in top form. If the coach decides to play me, I'll give my all to help the team in the best way possible." The French striker added, emphasizing his professionalism: "My response will be on the pitch because the best response is on the field. That's what matters most, and I won't be distracted by what's happening off the pitch. I'll focus solely on playing and giving my all so the fans can be proud of us.".

Elinichna also spoke about Al-Ittihad's large fan base, concluding his remarks by saying: "I saw the fans, and they were very enthusiastic and created a strong atmosphere in the stadium. They are real fans, and I will score goals for them.".

A tough task awaits those who will replace Benzema in El Clásico

The signing of the Monaco striker by Al-Ittihad comes at a critical time to strengthen the team's attacking force, especially after the major changes in the team's lineup and the departure of veteran French striker Karim Benzema to Al-Hilal, which places a double responsibility on Ilyinkina to prove his worth and lead the attacking line in light of the fierce competition in the Saudi Professional League.

All eyes will be on the stadium this Friday evening as Al-Ittihad travels to face Al-Nassr at 8:30 PM in a highly anticipated match, part of the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League. This encounter carries special significance as it is a classic clash between two of Saudi football's powerhouses, with each team vying for dominance and the three points.

George Ellynekina has been confirmed as part of the squad called up for the match, raising expectations about the possibility of seeing him participate for the first time in the "Dean's" jersey in a high-caliber encounter, which is something that fans of the Jeddah club are eagerly awaiting to see the technical addition that the player coming from the French league will provide.

All eyes in Saudi football will be on Al-Hazm Stadium in Al-Rass this Saturday, as Al-Kholoud hosts Al-Shabab in a crucial and highly anticipated match in the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League. This game is particularly important given the teams' close positions in the standings and their desperate need for three points to improve their standings and secure their place in the safe zone, away from the complexities of relegation.

The struggle to escape danger zones

Both teams enter the match under immense pressure due to their low positions in the league table, adding a fierce competitive edge to what can be described as a "six-pointer." Al-Kholoud, the home team, sits in 14th place with only 16 points, accumulated from five wins and one draw, while suffering 13 defeats, placing them in a precarious position that demands immediate improvement.

In contrast, Al-Shabab, a historically prominent club in Saudi football, finds itself in a position unworthy of its illustrious history, currently sitting in 13th place with 19 points. The "Leth" (Al-Shabab's nickname) has accumulated four wins, seven draws, and eight losses. Al-Shabab will be looking to capitalize on this match to break the tie with their hosts and widen the gap in points, further distancing themselves from the relegation zone.

Immortality... The Search for a Lifeline

Al-Kholoud is going through a difficult period, having failed to secure a victory in their last three matches. They suffered two heavy defeats against Al-Ettifaq and Al-Nassr before managing only a draw against Damac. The coaching staff and players will be fully focused on capitalizing on home advantage and the support of their fans to snatch a win and distance themselves from the looming threat of relegation. Al-Kholoud boasts a squad of talented players, including Argentinian goalkeeper Juan Cosani, solid Slovakian defender Norbert Djimber, Englishman John Buckley, Argentinian Ramiro Enrique, Surinamese defender Shakeel Binas, Comorian Meziani Maoulida, and local talent Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa.

Youthful awakening and the history of confrontations

On the other hand, Al Shabab seems to be gradually regaining its balance, having maintained an unbeaten record in its last four matches. They achieved two draws initially, followed by two consecutive victories, boosting the team's morale as they aim for their third consecutive win tomorrow. Al Shabab boasts several influential players capable of making a difference, including experienced Brazilian goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe, his compatriot and top scorer Carlos Junior, French star Yacine Adli, Englishman Josh Brownhill, Belgian Yannick Carrasco, and new Jordanian signing Ali Al-Azaizeh.

Historically, the two teams have met in the Professional League only three times, with Al-Shabab having the upper hand, winning the first two matches 2-0, while Al-Kholoud managed to snatch victory in the third match 1-0, making the fourth encounter between them open to all possibilities.

In a move reflecting Al-Ittihad’s new direction towards attracting promising young talents from major European leagues, French striker George Ellyninka, who recently joined the “Dean” from Monaco during the winter transfer window, revealed the behind-the-scenes details that preceded his signing of the contract, and the pivotal role played by his former teammate in convincing him to embark on this new experience in the Saudi Professional League.

Speaking in a video posted on Al-Ittihad's official accounts, Ilyinkina expressed his immense happiness at the warm welcome he received upon arriving in Jeddah. The young striker said, "Thank you so much for the welcome. Everything was excellent, and I was received wonderfully, both in the locker room and with the players and the coach. I'm very happy with this positive atmosphere surrounding the team.".

Mamadou Doumbia's role in the deal

In a fascinating account of his transfer, Elinikna revealed that his teammate Mamadou Doumbia was the "key" to finalizing the deal. He stated, "I spoke a lot with Mamadou Doumbia, and before I came here, he explained the details of the club's sporting project, the playing style, the coach's personality, and how training works. All those details convinced me to take the step of coming here, and I'm very happy with this choice.".

The French striker added, explaining the depth of his relationship with Doumbia: "As I said, I have a very good relationship with him. We played together at Royal Antwerp in Belgium a year before he came here and before I moved to Monaco. Honestly, he only told me good things about the club. I asked him a lot of questions and he was honest with me. He assured me that the club is excellent, that the project is strong and ambitious, and that the coach has great confidence in young players. This approach is what decided my decision to come.".

The context of the transfer and the challenges of replacing Benzema

The signing of George Ellienkina comes at a crucial time for Al-Ittihad, as the team seeks to bolster its attack and inject fresh energy into the forward line, especially after the significant changes to the squad and the departure of veteran French striker Karim Benzema to Al-Hilal, according to the report. This transfer places a heavy responsibility on Ellienkina to fill the attacking void and provide the desired technical contribution.

This signing reflects a strategic shift in the recruitment policies of major Saudi clubs, as the focus is no longer solely on established stars, but has expanded to include promising young talents in Europe. This enhances the league's market value and ensures the sustainability of its competitiveness for years to come. Thanks to his young age and experience in the French and Belgian leagues, Ilyinikina is expected to be a cornerstone of Al-Ittihad's future project to compete for domestic and continental titles.