Asian Champions League: ex-English Premier League players set to star as new season starts
Darwin Nunez the new face as Saudi clubs look likely to dominate again, while ex-England star Jesse Lingard flies flag for the east
Former English Premier League stars could make the difference in the Asian Champions League, which begins on Monday, with Ivan Toney, Jesse Lingard, Riyad Mahrez and Darwin Nunez all having a chance of winning Asian football’s premier club tournament.
Saudi clubs dominated last season, providing three of the semi-finalists before Al-Ahli won the final in front of 60,000 spectators in Jeddah in May. Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal are also back and expected to challenge again for the title.
Since the country’s Public Investment Fund took over the leading clubs, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, in 2023, Saudi Pro League clubs have spent around US$1.5 billion on players.
Toney signed for Al-Ahli from Brentford in August 2024 and would welcome more success in Asia.
“It was great to win the Champions League in front of our fans, and they are so passionate,” Toney said.
The England striker scored six goals in last season’s continental tournament and has forged a fruitful relationship with Mahrez, who won the Uefa Champions League with Manchester City in 2021.