Say what you like about Al Jazira, but it can’t be denied they are full of ambition.
After bringing quality reinforcements in pre-season in the shape of Abdelaziz Barrada and Nelson Valdez, they have now disposed of the latter, replacing him with former Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo.
Recently-appointed boss Walter Zenga has already changed the fortunes of the side and what was a team lacking energy and purpose is now looking a threat.
To finish the makeover, Al Jazira made the surprising move of replacing club captain Ricardo Oliveira with compatriot Jucilei Da Silva, a player who has two Brazil caps.
The club now feel they have in place a team that can challenge for trophies.
On top of their abundant foreign talent and experienced coach, they have a wealth of local talent in UAE stars Ali Khaseif, Khamis Ismail and Ali Mabkhout.
But how do you frame what the club have done? Is it a classic football knee-jerk move, sacking a manager (Luis Milla went in October), instigating an overhaul with the season at the halfway mark?
Or is it more a case of backing their new coach and giving him the money to bring his own choices in?
It has been an open secret that Zenga was never happy with Valdez leading his line. The Paraguayan was considered injury-prone, a fair charge and a tag that has stalked a player that has failed to live to up to his promise.
And the club have put their money where their mouth is in giving their boss sufficient funds to change around his team.
Jucilei should be a serious addition alongside Barrada and Ismail in midfield while Caicedo has the pedigree and talent to be a perfect foil for the goal-hungry Mabkhout.
The changes may seem drastic but they are logical. Milla’s tenure in charge was shambolic and needed to be put out of its misery while bringing in Zenga – who twice guided Al Nasr to the AFC Champions League – was a pleasant surprise and preferable to another expensive mercenary.
Valdez missed more games than he played and wasn’t exactly Gerd Muller when he did. Oliveira’s move was surprising but mitigated by the quality of his replacement.
Evolution is generally preferred but sometimes a revolution is required. Al Jazira’s moves were bold but they are club that aren’t happy to make up the numbers.
