The Curious Case of Jota at Al Ittihad
Al Ittihad are likely to leave Jota out of the registered players list. Jota will be replaced by new signing Luiz Felipe going into the season, leaving the Portuguese signed from Celtic in the summer in a precarious position.
Since his arrival, Jota has played 133 minutes for Al Ittihad and scored 1 goal. A dismal return for the big fee, believed to be €30 million, paid to Celtic for his services in the summer.
Jota’s situation raises further questions regarding the influx of players from European leagues into the Saudi Pro League. The emerging question is how many cases like Jota’s are SPL clubs willing to accommodate and address.
Leaving Jota out of their registered players list means that Al Ittihad have to find a solution for a player that came in for big money and has to play somewhere during the season.
Suggestions indicate that Jota could be loaned out to another Saudi Pro League club. However, it remains to be seen whether the Portuguese will be willing to make the move or will choose to stay out of football for the rest of the season.
