Al Hilal star Kalidou Koulibaly impressed by Saudi Pro League's home-grown talent

Al Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly says he has been surprised by the calibre of Saudi Arabian footballers since his arrival in the kingdom, insisting some could easily excel in Europe.

The Senegal centre-back, 32, moved to the Saudi Pro League this summer from Premier League side Chelsea on a three-year deal. Koulibaly has seemingly settled well, helping Hilal go unbeaten in their opening four league matches.

Record 18-time Saudi champions, on Friday Hilal face the sternest challenge of the season thus far, when they face current league holders Al Ittihad away in Jeddah. The match, pitting against one another the country’s two most successful clubs, is known as the Saudi “Clasico”.

Speaking on the eve of the much-anticipated encounter, Koulibaly was asked by The National what surprised him the most since switching the English top-flight for its Saudi counterpart.

“It’s really the level of the Saudi players,” he said. “I talked about it with some players who played here, like [French striker Bafetimbi] Gomis who played in Hilal, and the first thing he tells me is that if you are not 100 per cent forget everything, because you won't be at the level they are wanting and then you will have a hard time.

“It was really true. Because I came here, and I see some players that have the same level as some players in Europe. I won't say the best ones in Europe, but you have some. Some of the players here can play in good teams in Europe.

“Maybe they miss a little bit of [tactical nous], a little bit of like thinking with the head. But, for the rest, I think there’s a lot of intelligent players, like [Hilal and Saudi Arabia winger] Salem [Al Dawsari] – he is an amazing player.

“I was really impressed when I saw him in training here.