Bounou and Benzema futures among four major selection dilemmas facing Al Hilal before new season

Al Hilal are heading into a pivotal pre-season with four unresolved issues – led by the situations of Yassine Bounou and Karim Benzema – that could shape whether the coming campaign becomes a success or slips into crisis.

With the club active in the transfer market and new coach Simone Inzaghi intent on reshaping his squad, decisions over key players and positions remain outstanding. These questions concern not only potential new signings, but also the status of some of Al Hilal’s biggest names, whose futures are uncertain in the weeks ahead.

Bounou’s role under review amid external interest

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has been one of Al Hilal’s main pillars in recent seasons, yet his name has recently been linked with several offers from abroad. That interest has forced the club’s hierarchy to confront a major strategic choice over one of their most important performers.

According to indications around the club, Al Hilal are weighing whether to remove Bounou from their domestic league squad list and restrict his involvement to the Asian elite competition only, or to sanction a permanent transfer that would free up his foreign-player slot for another overseas signing.

The debate around Bounou is not about his quality, but about how best to balance the foreign quota as Inzaghi looks to remodel the team. How this issue is resolved is seen internally as one of the defining decisions of the summer.

Right-back vacancy threatens Inzaghi’s tactical plans

Right-back has emerged as the most problematic position in Al Hilal’s squad at present, with reports suggesting Portuguese defender Joao Cancelo is close to leaving the club.

Despite that, there has been no significant move so far from the board to secure a clear replacement, raising serious questions given how critical the full-back roles are to Inzaghi’s preferred style. The Italian coach relies heavily on his wide defenders to push forward and create overloads in the final third.

Any delay in addressing this area risks leaving Inzaghi exposed to an early-season tactical headache, as Hamad Al-Yami is currently the only recognised right-back available. For a coach whose system places such emphasis on attacking full-backs, going into the new campaign without adequate cover or competition in that role is regarded as a major concern.

Uncertain future for Benzema as new striker targeted

The situation of French forward Karim Benzema remains unresolved, with the club exploring the option of bringing in a new striker to spearhead the attack.

Numerous reports indicate that the Al Hilal board are considering several scenarios regarding the former Real Madrid star. One possibility is to withdraw Benzema from the domestic registration list while keeping him for Asian competition only. Another, if a high-profile centre-forward can be recruited, would be to negotiate a complete termination of his spell at the club.

Despite Benzema’s vast experience and stature in the game, his future at Al Hilal now appears tied to Inzaghi’s technical plans and the board’s vision for the new project. The decision on whether he remains central, becomes a reduced-role option, or departs altogether is still pending.

Captain Al-Dawsari facing defining career choice

For the Al Hilal fanbase, the most delicate issue is the future of captain Salem Al-Dawsari. The winger wants to end his career at the club where he has built his legacy and become one of its modern icons.

At the same time, he is reluctant to accept a peripheral role, particularly as Al Hilal move closer to signing a major winger. The club have recently stepped up efforts to recruit Crysencio Summerville, while they have also been strongly linked with Ousmane Dembele.

Should a new high-profile wide player arrive, Salem Al-Dawsari may be forced to confront a stark decision: either agree to reduced minutes and a lesser role within Inzaghi’s rotation, or seek a new challenge elsewhere that guarantees him a regular starting place.

With the clock ticking towards the start of the season, how Al Hilal resolve the intertwined futures of Bounou, Benzema and Al-Dawsari – as well as the right-back vacancy – is likely to determine whether Inzaghi begins his reign on solid foundations or amid immediate turbulence.