Marino Pusic, Al-Ahly coach, confirmed his team's readiness for the next confrontation against Abha, stressing that his goal is to present the team in a manner worthy of the aspirations of the club's fans, and to work to achieve their ambitions during the next stage.
Pusic said during the press conference: “It is good to see this number of media professionals, and I would like to thank everyone who welcomed me to this country, and the Al-Ahly fans in particular. I played only two official matches, and during them I felt the great energy of the fans and the constant giving, and this reflects love and passion for the club without limits.”
Regarding the contract file, Al-Ahly’s coach explained that the contract with any player has not been officially announced yet, adding: “Any player who comes will be an addition to the club without a doubt.” The transfer market is open, but our full focus will be on the upcoming competition.”
Pusic pointed to his knowledge of Al-Ahly’s history and status, stressing that the technical staff will work to present the team in a way that satisfies the fans and officials. He said: “Our ambition is to present ourselves well in front of our fans, and I am familiar with the club’s history and its importance, so we will try to work to achieve the aspirations of the fans and officials.”
In response to Asharq Al-Awsat’s question about the possibility of changing Al-Ahly’s technical methodology, and whether the team lacks the services of Franck Kessiet in the midfield, Pusic stressed that every coach has his own philosophy and style.
He said: “Every coach has his own style and philosophy of football, and what is important to me is victory. I prefer to play and build from the back during the offensive situation, and in the defensive situation, perhaps Yasla and I are a little similar, and I will work to get to know the players, and I have a simple perception of them through training, even though I arrived a short time ago, but we work with all seriousness and responsibility.”
The coach spoke about his view of the tactical aspects, stressing that numbers do not represent everything in modern football. He said: “Many people talk about numbers, and these numbers are just phone numbers. The match is based on time, space, intelligence and the characteristics of the players.”
Pusic praised midfielder Valentin Atangana, stressing that the player caught his attention during training, and said: “I have a different technical outlook, and I have a very excellent player, Valentin Atangana. I saw his activity and play in training, and he is not a very famous player, but he is a great player at this age, and it is not the big name that is important.”
He concluded his talk about Kessieh by emphasizing his focus on the elements currently in the team, saying: “I did not deal with Kessieh, and he is a great player, but I am dealing with the existing options, and I have an existing player.”
Aston Villa has been aware of Al Hilal's admiration for Ollie Watkins for some time, so the reports that began to appear in Saudi Arabia last week were not a surprise to the English club.
Several sources of The Athletic network had the impression that Aston Villa's all-time top scorer in the English Premier League would remain with the team, especially in light of a summer that witnessed massive changes and the departure of a number of his teammates who spent long periods with the club.
The other unresolved factor was whether any club interested in Watkins would be willing to offer a sum large enough to convince Aston Villa to change their position.
At the request of coach Unai Emery, who wants Watkins to continue, Aston Villa is sticking to its stated position of keeping the striker.
Although the prevailing feeling indicates his survival, there is a degree of concern, as the reality is that every player has a price. Sources at Aston Villa have repeatedly confirmed that the club is completely dependent on Watkins during the current season.
The 30-year-old player returned to preparatory training last Sunday, after Emery granted the players who stayed until the end of the World Cup a four-week vacation, believing that this would maintain their readiness and help them in the later stages of the season.
To discuss Watkins' future, Arsenal and Manchester United's previous interest in him, and what his departure might mean for Aston Villa, The Athletic spoke with several sources linked to the club and other clubs close to the player, on the condition of anonymity in order to preserve their relationships.
What will Watkins' departure mean for Aston Villa?
Regardless of Watkins' attempts to return early, the three players who had their preseason shortened have their situations linked.
Emiliano Martinez's future is still undecided, while Arsenal reached an agreement to sign Ezri Konsa for 51 million pounds sterling, in addition to bonuses, provided that he undergoes a medical examination on Thursday.
Martinez had long wanted to leave, and Aston Villa decided over the weekend that he could move on without continuing the controversy surrounding his future. The club moved to sign Zion Suzuki, Parma's goalkeeper, but Martinez's transfer to Juventus was disrupted by the Italian club. The 33-year-old goalkeeper returned to the Bodymoor Heath training center on Tuesday, while Aston Villa is currently helping him find another destination.
Watkins, Martinez and Konsa represent the backbone of the team and the strong foundations on which Emery built his project at Aston Villa. The three play in pivotal positions and have become experienced international players under the leadership of the Spanish coach, and they now gradually embody the magnitude of the major change that the club is witnessing this summer.
As usual, Emery has drawn up a list of positions he wants to strengthen, including full-back and winger positions, but plans may change according to the vision of the coach and players who leave the team.
Aston Villa quietly wanted to sign an outright striker, provided they found a buyer for Tammy Abraham. Communication between Emery and Nicholas Jackson, the Chelsea player, also continued since their time at Villarreal, and the prevailing feeling was that Villa would try again to sign him.
How does Aston Villa view Watkins?
Watkins is one of Aston Villa's most prominent players in the English Premier League era, and therefore his departure will have a great emotional impact, after he was a key element in the team's unprecedented successes over the past three years, a period during which he scored at least 15 goals in each season.
Despite his poor start last season, Watkins showed up when the team needed him. He became a European League champion, and his name was immortalized in the club’s history.
His professionalism, attitude and friendly personality are among the reasons that made him so popular among the fans and Emery's Spanish staff.
Whether through his request for additional individual training after training sessions or the way he carries himself in general, a senior official described him to “The Athletic” last summer as “an English gentleman.”
Watkins also played matches on other occasions despite suffering from injuries and enduring pain. He is not preoccupied with many things outside of football, as he does not want to waste his energy or time away from it, and his priority is to present the best possible version of himself as a player on a daily basis.
However, his future remained unclear on several occasions, although not to the level that happened with Martinez. In January 2024, Aston Villa rejected an offer from Arsenal worth 40 million pounds, which was to be paid in six installments, before Manchester United showed interest six months later. The latter later decided to turn his attention to contracting with Benjamin Sisco.
What are Watkins' options? Who would like to include him?
Watkins entered this summer with an open mind about his future, according to sources close to the player.
He was heading into the World Cup knowing he was behind Harry Kane in the England pecking order, and played just seven minutes in the tournament while weighing his options at club level.
There were not many better options than Aston Villa, especially with a feeling that he may have missed the opportunity to move to another club in the English Premier League. However, the changes that Villa is witnessing and the approaching of his contract to its final years have prompted him to keep all possibilities open.
Watkins had previously rejected offers to extend his contract, but Aston Villa made him a new offer and hopes to make progress on it.
Fenerbahce were serious about trying to sign Watkins earlier in the summer. According to an informed source, the Turkish club contacted a mediator to find out Aston Villa’s readiness to enter into negotiations.
As for Al Hilal’s interest, it has existed for a long time. With a new crop of English officials at the club, including former Bournemouth sporting director Simon Francis, there was a good familiarity with Watkins' representatives.
Several attempts were made before Tuesday, when Al Hilal made an official offer worth 45 million euros. Aston Villa rejected the offer, while Watkins continued his training, but the Saudi club is still continuing its efforts to sign him.
Al Hilal believes that it has received encouraging indicators from the player. The transfer will be highly financially rewarding for Watkins, and if Al Hilal raises its offer, Aston Villa may obtain a financial value that is difficult for him to obtain from another club.
What will happen now?
Watkins scored his 100th goal for Aston Villa last April, joining the list of club legends and achieving an achievement that has not been achieved since Peter McParland in the early sixties.
Losing Watkins and Morgan Rogers will deprive the team of two players who combined scored 46 percent of Aston Villa's goals in the league last season, as well as the team's offensive system was built around them.
According to several sources that The Athletic spoke to, Watkins was part of the leadership group responsible for controlling the locker room. He is seen as one of the team's most professional players alongside a group that includes Tyrone Mings, Konsa, Matty Cash, Lucas Digne, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans. Two of this group have passed away, while the future of two others is uncertain.
Aston Villa want to keep Watkins, but the question is whether it is time to start the second era for Emery with a new face leading the line. Was the Istanbul night the end of the first edition of Aston Villa under the leadership of the Spanish coach? Is it appropriate to maintain some features of the previous stage, or will that conflict with the ongoing transformation?
Aston Villa officials are aware that the club has undergone major changes this summer, perhaps even greater than initially planned. If Watkins becomes the next player to leave, the scale of the overall transformation within the team will become clearer than ever.
