Pitso Mosimane will go up against Steven Gerrard in the Saudi Pro League this weekend. The South African's squad is valued at €19.5 million (R399.1 million), while the Liverpool legend's Al Ettifaq is valued at three times that amount! Let's take a closer look.
Check Out: The 10 Highest-Paid Players In The Premier League
The South African tactician has a deal at Abha Club until the end of the season only, and his main objective from now until then is to keep the team in the Saudi Pro League. Off the back of his first win this past weekend, three points against Al Ettifaq on Saturday could drastically improve Mosimane's fortunes.
In the Saudi top division, which consists of 18 teams, the bottom three are automatically relegated. Abha Club currently occupy 17th place on the table, tied with 16th-placed Al Tai, three points above 18th-placed Al Hazm and only two points behind Al Raed in 15th. The former Mamelodi Sundowns boss needs victories, and his next opportunity to inspire Abha Club to safety will be on Saturday, when they take on Gerrard's Ettifaq away from home.
Unlike Mosimane, the ex-Liverpool midfielder and captain has a number of top, high-profile players to call upon each week, particularly in midfield and attack, from a squad valued at €65.7m (R1.3 billion). Georginio Wijnaldum, former Everton winger Demarai Gray and ex-Olympique Lyon and Atletico Madrid striker Moussa Dembele are all options for Gerrard, along with the player with the highest market value in his squad – Seko Fofana. The French-born Ivory Coast international is worth €20 million (R409.4 million), which is more than Jingles' entire squad! In fact, the highest-valued footballer available to Mosimane is Polish midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak at just €4.5 million (R92.1 million).
Despite these vast differences on paper, Saturday could be a good time for Mosimane and his men to play Ettifaq, who are eighth on the table but have won just two of their past 11 league matches. Gerrard, who is being paid handsomely in the Middle East, has found life in the SPL difficult and could only watch on as Jordan Henderson ditched his project after just six months at the club.
Check Out: Lingard's Shock Wage In South Korea 'Revealed'
Mosimane, with a squad valued at €19.5 million, should have belief that his players are capable of earning a result at the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments
WATCH VIDEO:
