Youssef En-Nesyri handed central role as new Al-Ittihad boss Jens Wissing begins reign with Orlando Pirates test

Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri has been placed at the heart of new coach Jens Wissing’s first Al-Ittihad line-up, despite mounting speculation in the press that he could be on his way out of the Saudi club.

The Jeddah side face South Africa’s Orlando Pirates on Tuesday in Marbella, Spain, in their opening pre-season friendly under the German’s leadership. The match is part of Al-Ittihad’s overseas training camp as Wissing begins reshaping the squad ahead of the new campaign.

Wissing’s inaugural starting XI for the “Tigers” features En-Nesyri as the central striker, flanked by French winger Moussa Diaby and Saudi wide man Abdulrahman Al-Aboud.

This early show of faith in the 27-year-old forward comes amid reports in Moroccan and regional media that he is close to a move away, with Maghreb de Fes named as a leading contender for his signature next season.

New coach makes early call on En-Nesyri

Wissing, who has just taken charge of the former Saudi Pro League champions, has made his first significant selection statement by building his front line around En-Nesyri.

The decision will be closely watched by Al-Ittihad supporters, given the uncertainty over the player’s future and the club’s need to improve after a disappointing domestic campaign.

En-Nesyri joined Al-Ittihad in the winter transfer window from Fenerbahce, brought in to bolster the attack for the second half of the season. However, his impact was mixed: he scored eight goals in 18 appearances in all competitions and provided just one assist.

Those numbers have fuelled debate among fans and pundits over whether he should remain the focal point of the attack or be moved on as part of Wissing’s rebuild.

Maghreb de Fes looking for a replacement for star departure

Interest from Morocco has complicated the picture. Maghreb de Fes are understood to be actively searching for a new centre-forward after losing key attacker Sofian Benjdida to Egyptian giants Al Ahly during the current summer transfer window.

The Moroccan club see the need for a high-profile replacement to mitigate the loss of Benjdida, and En-Nesyri has been repeatedly mentioned in local reports as a potential target capable of filling that void.

A move back to Moroccan football would represent a major change of direction for En-Nesyri, who has spent recent years at top-flight European and Middle Eastern clubs. For now, though, his selection in Wissing’s first eleven signals that Al-Ittihad are not yet prepared to give up on him.

Pre-season opener doubles as audition

The Orlando Pirates match is set to act as both a tactical experiment for Wissing and an audition for several players whose futures remain uncertain.

How En-Nesyri performs alongside Diaby and Al-Aboud in Spain could influence whether Al-Ittihad persist with him as their leading striker or entertain offers during the remainder of the transfer window.

While no official word has come from the Saudi club regarding negotiations or bids, the combination of Maghreb de Fes’ need for a striker and En-Nesyri’s inconsistent output last season ensures that his situation will remain one of the key storylines of Al-Ittihad’s pre-season.