Nuno Espirito Santo has reportedly communicated to the Al-Ittihad board that the tactical approach he employs does not align well with the playing characteristics of Karim Benzema.
Benzema announced his departure from Real Madrid in June, ending a 14-year tenure marked by four La Liga triumphs and an impressive five UEFA Champions League victories.
The Frenchman went on to ink a contract with Al-Ittihad for a duration of two and a half years, reportedly valued at €600 million.
Benzema has made two appearances for Al-Ittihad this season, and although he has not found the net himself, he did contribute an assist during a 3-0 triumph against Al-Raed.
However, a revelation from Saudi Arabian newspaper, Al- Sharq Al-Awsat per Goal Arabia and SportBible, states Santo has notified the board that the Frenchman is not a suitable match for his playing style.
The ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton manager was also not an initiator of Benzema’s acquisition, causing significant strain between the pair within the team’s locker room.
Meanwhile, Goal has also reported that Benzema had expressed a desire for the captaincy at Al-Ittihad, which the Portuguese
coach has declined to give him.
With the current unease in his present setting, some believe the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner could find himself facing the possibility of an unexpected move away.
It remains to be seen what happens next at Al-Ittihad, yet such a disagreement is being tipped to lead to the departure of either the player or – as happens in many cases the coach.
Having netted 354 goals for Real Madrid, the French striker solidified his stature as a dominant global forward, with Benzema ranked just behind Cristiano Ronaldo.— sportsbrief