Reasons for Benzema’s Revival: French-speaking Players Dominating Al Ittihad Jeddah Making Him Less Isolated in Attack

After the first three rounds of the Saudi Professional League, Al Ittihad Jeddah leads the table with three consecutive wins, and Benzema has scored four goals. Saudi media outlet kooora analyzed the reasons for Benzema’s revival, attributing it mainly to Al Ittihad Jeddah making French-speaking players the dominant force in the team, which has made Benzema feel less isolated.

After scoring for Al Ittihad Jeddah in the Club World Cup at the end of last year, Benzema failed to score a single goal for the next half-year and was sidelined due to injury towards the end of the season, leading to speculation that he would leave the club.

However, just three rounds into the new season, Benzema has already scored four goals, including a hat-trick in Al Ittihad Jeddah’s 7-1 victory over Al-Ittihad Mecca. Saudi media believe this is mainly due to a change in strategy by Al Ittihad Jeddah, who signed Algerian international Houssem Aouar during the summer transfer window. Aouar is good friends with Benzema, and the team also brought in French player Moussa Diaby. Additionally, following a change in management, French coach Laurent Blanc took over.

With the addition of N’Golo Kanté, French-speaking players now dominate Al Ittihad Jeddah. Last season, there were reports of Benzema not getting along with Brazilian, Portuguese, and Moroccan foreign players on the team. Now, with French-speaking coaches and foreign players becoming the mainstream in Al Ittihad Jeddah, Benzema has naturally regained his former form.

In addition, Benzema is no longer alone in attack. Moussa Diaby, Aouar, and Steven Bergwijn can all provide him with support, allowing him to avoid having to play solo up front or return to midfield to receive the ball, organize attacks, and conserve energy to break through the opponent’s final line of defense.

Of course, Saudi media believe that the upcoming top-of-the-table clash against Al Nassr Riyadh will be the real test for Benzema and Al Ittihad Jeddah.