Michael Emenalo: We want to make the SPL one of world's best, so we need the best players

Michael Emenalo, the new director of football at the Saudi Pro League, says his remit is to take the competition and performances on the pitch “to a different level”.

On Tuesday, the league announced a strategic plan to continue to attract lead international footballers, nurture young talent and improve club governance.

As part of the initiative, Emenalo has been appointed to head up the new Player Acquisition Centre of Excellence (Pace), which aims to provide a centralised approach to transfers.

The league said Pace will help provide all top-flight clubs the “best possible expertise and governance to ensure a dynamic, young, yet sustainable future”.

Emenalo, best known for his work as technical director with Premier League side Chelsea from 2011-2017, will also assist with “squad mapping”, where all 18 of the Saudi Arabian top-tier clubs are already actively working with the former Nigerian international regarding international transfers.

The Saudi Pro League has this summer embarked on an aggressive recruitment drive, with high-profile players such as Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, Ruben Neves and Marcelo Brozovic joining Cristiano Ronaldo in the kingdom.

“The idea is to make this league one of the best in the world, and to do that, you want the best players,” Emenalo said in an interview with the Saudi Pro League released on Wednesday.

“Right now, we're throwing out our nets as wide and as far as they can go, to make sure that we bring the best talent in the league.

“I can understand the sensibilities to something that is so new and so audacious in its ambition. I can understand that it creates some doubt in some people's mind.

“Footballers are not completely ignorant of what the industry is about.