Ollie Watkins marked his Al-Hilal debut with a purpose of their 3-0 win over Al-Ahli within the Saudi Professional League earlier than describing the usual of soccer in Saudi Arabia as “Premier League high quality”.
The England worldwide joined Al-Hilal from Aston Villa this summer season and got here off the bench within the second half earlier than scoring with a back-post header within the closing phases.
Sergej Savic opened the scoring for Al Hilal earlier than former West Ham ahead Crysencio Summerville doubled their benefit.
Watkins left Villa after six years on the membership, scoring 108 targets in 278 appearances and serving to them win the Europa League final season.
He was considered one of a number of key departures from Villa this summer season, with Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne additionally leaving the membership. Watkins, nonetheless, was the one participant to maneuver outdoors Europe.
“The extent I noticed right here right this moment was truthfully of Premier League high quality,” Watkins stated after the sport.
“The match was very sturdy bodily and demanding, and the standard was extraordinarily excessive.
“I knew immediately [to join Al Hilal when the offer came]. I watched the [FIFA] Membership World Cup and I noticed how nicely they carried out. I all the time see who’s on the high of the league and so they’re all the time up there.
“And look, I need to come right here. I need to win trophies and I believe this crew goes to provide me the very best likelihood of doing that.”
Watkins aiming to attain in each sport
Watkins additionally set himself the goal of scoring in each sport after getting off the mark on his debut.
“I need to rating in each sport,” he added.
“However I stored going, stored going, and I’m going to get a number of possibilities. Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic are very clever gamers and all I must do is make the run.
“I’m a bit rusty in the intervening time, solely had a few days coaching so, as soon as I get within the groove, I’m going to be good.”
Watkins additionally had a purpose dominated out for offside shortly earlier than discovering the web.
“I stored going and clearly simply earlier than [my goal] I received known as offside, which was disappointing,” he stated.
