Reijnders Scores 3 Goals in 4 Saudi Pro League Games, Rising from Manchester City Fringe Player to Key Star

The 28-year-old Dutch international scored twice in this match, making the MVP award well deserved. Even more strikingly, he has scored three goals in just four matches since joining his new club. That efficiency would attract attention in any league. His move came with a transfer fee of 61 million euros, making it one of the biggest Saudi football signings this summer.

Who is Reijnders? Some fans may still have a somewhat vague impression of him. He came through the PSV Eindhoven academy and played for clubs including Dundee United, PSV Eindhoven, Ajax and Derby County before joining Manchester City in the summer of 2024 for around 35 million euros. The transfer attracted considerable attention at the time, as any player brought to Manchester City by Guardiola personally would naturally draw interest.

However, his situation at Manchester City was not ideal. Although he won the Premier League title with the team last season, he spent more time on the bench. Under new coach Maresca's tactical system, his defensive weaknesses were exposed, including slower recovery runs and limited interception ability. His attacking talent was instead overlooked, and he gradually became a fringe player. A player who could have been a starter ended up spending much of his time as a substitute.

Then the offer from Saudi Arabia arrived. Money was not an issue, and neither was his role. After arriving in Saudi Arabia, Reijnders seemed like a different player and immediately flourished. The league environment, with a slower tempo and less high pressing, gave him enough space to display his ball-carrying ability and box-to-box midfield talent. From a fringe player in Europe's top five leagues to a leading figure in the Saudi league, the transformation may not seem enormous, but the reasons behind it are worth considering.

Put simply, this reflects the real difference in competitive intensity between the two leagues. The Premier League's constant high-speed physical battles and full-pitch pressing are indeed a level faster than the Saudi league. For a technical midfielder like Reijnders, that can actually provide a release. He does not need to cover defensively every possession and can focus more energy on attacking organization. Many players might also find it easier to perform in such conditions.

But then again, is the Saudi league really that weak? Not necessarily. They have brought in many players who are still performing at a high level, including Benzema, Mitrovic and Fabinho, all of whom have proven themselves in Europe's top leagues. The issue is that the overall quality of their teammates often does not match them. Even the strongest individual player can only carry a team so far if those around him cannot keep up.

Reijnders' father's interview was quite straightforward. He acknowledged that the Saudi league level is lower than the Premier League, but said it is definitely not a league where players can simply coast. A five-year, 100 million euro salary was indeed a key factor in the decision. There is nothing hypocritical or shameful about that. At 28, near the latter part of his prime years, choosing between fighting desperately for a substitute role or earning a top salary while playing regularly and winning MVP awards is not necessarily a difficult choice.

Many people look down on players who move to Saudi Arabia, viewing it as retirement or taking an easy path. But everyone has their own considerations. Securing a top contract at the best stage of one's career while ensuring playing time is not a bad thing for any professional footballer. Reijnders' breakout proves exactly that—he did not go there simply to enjoy life; he went there to play football, and he has performed very well.

From another perspective, is this kind of "lower-level dominance" truly beneficial? After dominating in the Saudi league, can he still perform at the same level in international competitions or if he returns to Europe's top leagues in the future? Competitive form is like rowing against the current; if you do not move forward, you fall behind. Whether long-term competition in a lower-intensity environment affects physical battles and match rhythm is a question Reijnders and his team are likely aware of.

The Saudi league has shown significant ambition in recent years, with state-backed investment bringing in star players and attempting to move beyond the stereotype of being a retirement destination. Results have improved, but according to Opta's global league rankings, the Saudi league still ranks only 29th, behind European second-tier competitions such as the Championship and Bundesliga 2. That reality remains; signing several big names cannot erase the gap immediately.

Reijnders' three goals in four matches are a double-edged sword. On one hand, he has proven his ability and shown the outside world his value, possibly creating a path back to Europe in the future. On the other hand, if he remains in a comfort zone for too long, could it limit his ceiling? Time will provide the answer.

Regardless, Reijnders has used his performances on the pitch and a substantial contract to illustrate the gap between the Premier League and the Saudi league. Whether the 61 million euro transfer was worthwhile is too early to determine. But one thing is clear: cases like this are likely to become more common in the future.

The path of Saudi football's rise may be reflected in players like Reijnders. They may not be able to buy true elite-level competitiveness, but they can at least buy attention, visibility and excitement around matches. For many players, that itself represents a form of success. Competitive level may not be the only factor behind their decisions.

Reijnders' story is far from over. Can he maintain this scoring rate next season? Will he attract renewed interest from European clubs? Or will he continue playing in Saudi Arabia and become a historic star there? These questions remain unanswered. But at least for this moment, he is the brightest star in this desert.