Al-Nassr fans worried ahead of new season but Ange might be the man to steer them to glory

RIYADH: It is not a good time to be an Al-Nassr fan. While that might sound like a bizarre statement to make, considering the club ended a seven-year title drought by beating Al-Hilal to the Saudi Pro League title last season, they face a stark reality as they prepare to defend their title.

The club was rocked by a crippling financial crisis over the summer, with total debt exceeding SR800 million ($213 million). The crisis was resolved when the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, and the club’s management implemented a series of urgent financial measures — including commercial contracts with artificial intelligence company Humain and Cruise Saudi, and a restructuring of the club’s financial obligations — to restore stability and remove the restrictions on new signings.

With the financial constraints eased, Al-Nassr moved quickly and on Sunday confirmed their first signing of the summer: Mallorca midfielder Samu Costa.

But with main rivals Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli having strengthened their squads considerably over the summer, a single newcomer at Al-Nassr, plus the departure of Marcelo Brozovic at the end of last season, leaves new head coach Ange Postecoglou with a relatively threadbare squad and a heavy burden on the eve of the new season, which kicks off on Aug. 13.

“I came here to win trophies,” Postecoglou said when he joined Al-Nassr in early July. After watching their heroes clinch the title last season, that is undoubtedly what the fans expect as well: another strong run at the championship, and perhaps even a maiden AFC Champions League Elite title.

However, the contrast in transfer activity between Al-Nassr and their rivals this summer could not be more stark. This has