{"id":1483116,"date":"2026-08-31T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&p=1483116"},"modified":"2026-08-31T15:53:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T14:53:48","slug":"saudi-pro-league-combined-xi-ex-premier-league","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/saudi-pro-league-combined-xi-ex-premier-league\/","title":{"rendered":"A combined XI of former Premier League players currently in the Saudi Pro League"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ollie Watkins has completed his move from Aston Villa to Al-Hilal, becoming the latest in a long line of former Premier League<\/a> stars to join the Saudi Pro League.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Villa bagged a cool \u00a350m for a striker who will turn 31 in December, but Watkins is still very much at an age where he can contribute and is sure to be a star in the Pro League. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that in mind, we’ve put together a combined XI of former Premier League stars who are currently playing in the Saudi Pro League. There are some huge names to go through, so read on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Saudi Pro League combined XI of ex-Premier League players<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GK: Edouard Mendy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Edouard Mendy’s stay at Chelsea was relatively short but incredibly successful, winning Champions League, Fifa Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup titles, while also reaching three domestic cup finals. He left for Al-Ahli in 2023 and has helped them win two AFC Champions Leagues and a Saudi Super Cup so far, keeping 50 clean sheets in 117 appearances. He also remains Senegal’s No.1 goalkeeper. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CB: Chancel Mbemba<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It’s been a long time since Chancel Mbemba was a part of the Newcastle United squad that was relegated and then promoted back to the Premier League at the first attempt. So long, in fact, that it’s shocking to find out he’s still only 32 years old. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mbemba recently joined Al-Diriyah after a highly productive spell at FC Porto — winning two league titles — and further stays at Marseille and Lille. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CB: Kalidou Koulibaly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kalidou Koulibaly was heralded as the world’s best centre-back during his Napoli days, but he never quite hit those heights during his one year at Chelsea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now 35, he’s spent the last three years with Al-Hilal, winning a Saudi Pro League title and two Saudi Cups among other honours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CB: Malang Sarr<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Malang Sarr was an exciting young talent at Chelsea, but fell victim to the club’s famous ‘loan army’. Following a productive year with Lens, the 27-year-old now turns out for NEOM SC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RWB: Francisco Trincao<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There was a lot of excitement when Francisco Trincao arrived on loan at Wolves from Barcelona in 2021, but he just didn’t adjust to the Premier League. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He enjoyed far more success at Sporting CP, however, registering 47 goals and 51 assists in 208 appearances to help the Lions win two Primeira Liga titles in a row, breaking into the Portuguese national team along the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, at just 26 years old, he made the move to Saudi Arabia this summer, joining Al-Ahli. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CM: Tijjani Reijnders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tijjani Reijnders arrived with much fanfare at Manchester City last summer, but after a promising start, he fell off hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That didn’t stop the midfielder from being a starter for the Netherlands throughout the World Cup group stage this summer, but he recently joined Al-Qadsiah despite plenty of European interest.<\/p>\n\n\n