Mats Hummels comments on big-name players joining Saudi clubs

Mats Hummels has had his say on several high-profile players joining Saudi Pro League this summer for astronomical wages.

The summer transfer window has been dominated by clubs in Saudi Arabia, who have splashed big money to attract some of the world’s most talented players. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mané, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic are just some of the big names who have left European football for the Saudi Pro League this summer.

And Mats Hummels has said that while he understands the players’ decisions, some of these transfers have made even him question whether it would have made more sense to put sporting ambition ahead of money.

The Borussia Dortmund defender was a guest on the Copa TS podcast, where he said:

"“It’s something everyone has to decide for themselves. I can’t speak for everyone. Some may have responsibility for more people who they support financially.”“But there were a handful of transfers where I thought to myself, ‘Maybe the sporting ambition is what should be the number one priority, because you have enough of the other anyway.'”"

Hummels, who has made a total of 470 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, also spoke about the arrival of Harry Kane to the Bundesliga. The 34 year old said that Kane will pose a tougher challenge to the opposition defenders, but he is relishing the opportunity to go up against the England captain.

"“I think it’s cool when you have really good players in your league that get to play against. The challenge is getting tougher. But this is what you play for. I don’t want it to be easy. I want to think after 90 minutes: that was one of the best five strikers of the last ten years in Europe.”"

Mats Hummels has enjoyed an impressive start to the new season, and will look to lead the defence once again on Saturday as Borussia Dortmund take on VfL Bochum.