Ivan Toney väittää Saudi Pro Leaguen olevan yhtä vahva kuin Valioliiga – voiko Al Ahli haastaa Englannin huiput
When Ivan Toney made the jump from Brentford to Al-Ahli in the summer of 2024, most fans assumed it was the classic case of a Premier League star chasing a late-career payday. But a year later, the England striker is adamant his move is about more than money. According to him, the Saudi Pro League can match the quality of the Premier League.
A Flying Start in the Desert
Toney’s transfer fee—about €42 million—came with serious expectations. Yet he’s delivered in style: 35 goals across 48 appearances, including 23 in the Saudi league. While Al-Ahli only managed a fifth-place finish, Toney proved he could score consistently in new surroundings.
“We’d Compete in the Premier League”
Speaking to The Guardian, Toney confidently claimed that if Al-Ahli played in England’s top flight, they’d be fighting for a Champions League spot. He pointed to Al-Hilal’s victory over Manchester City as proof the Saudi game deserves more respect.
Of course, it’s a bold statement. The Premier League is celebrated for its relentless pace, depth, and competitiveness from top to bottom. Toney’s assessment forces fans to at least consider how much Saudi football has grown.
From Brentford Star to Saudi Striker
Toney’s rise at Brentford—36 Premier League goals in just 85 games—cemented him as a feared forward. Moving abroad seemed like a gamble for his England career, yet he remains on Gareth Southgate’s radar, showing that opportunities abroad don’t always mean national-team exile.
Saudi Arabia’s Football Ambition
Toney’s not alone in this experiment. A wave of superstar signings—from Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kanté—signals Saudi Arabia’s ambition to build a globally competitive league. The aim is clear: shake the “retirement league” label once and for all.
- High-profile transfers continue to draw eyes worldwide.
- Clubs are backed with unprecedented resources.
- The message: Saudi football wants to rival Europe’s elite.
Reality Check
Toney’s belief is genuine, and his stats back up his effort. Still, most observers agree the Premier League remains far deeper, with tougher games across all 38 matchweeks. Saudi football is growing fast, but bridging the cultural, tactical, and competitive gulf won’t happen overnight.
The Bigger Picture
Whether you agree with Toney or not, his move highlights football’s shifting balance of power. Saudi Arabia may not surpass the Premier League today, or even within five years, but its resources and ambition are rewriting the global football conversation.
👉 What’s your take: is Toney right that clubs like Al-Ahli could push into the Premier League’s top four—or is this more about backing his new employers than reality?