Al Ittihad saviour Romarinho, unstoppable Al Nassr striker Abderrazak Hamdallah and other outstanding 2019/20 SPL stars

All SPL viewers already knew what a fine player Anselmo is, but it’s taken a visionary coach to drive him onto a new level.

Last season’s solid debut campaign after July 2018’s €3 million switch from Internacional was exclusively performed in defensive midfield. Fast forward to November 1’s 3-2 defeat at Al Raed and Jose Daniel Carreno had the brainwave to deploy the 31-year-old in an advanced position.

Anselmo had one assist and one goal in six SPL run-outs before that game. He’s since gone on to add seven goals and one assist in 11 matches, helping cement his club’s footing in the top four.

Key statistic: Only Al Hilal’s Carlos Eduardo (11) has scored more goals from midfield in 2019/20 than Anselmo.

SAAD BGUIR (ABHA)

Bguir has, unquestionably, bolstered the division.

Promoted Abha’s call to acquire the Tunisia playmaker on a free transfer from powerhouse Esperance de Tunis has proved inspired. He has double the SPL goal tally of his nearest team-mate Saleh Al Abbas, plus two more assists than colleague Ammar Al Najjar.

Bguir’s beguiling skills and mastery of set-pieces has helped fire the reigning Prince Mohammad bin Salman League holders up into ninth. This is a welcome contrast to the travails of fellow promoted sides Damac and Al Adalah, who provide the bottom two.

Key statistic: Has the SPL’s joint-fifth highest combined tally of goals (eight) and assists (six).

ABDERRAZAK HAMDALLAH (AL NASSR)

This has been another eventful campaign for 2019’s temperamental 57-goal global leading marksman.

A summer derailed by his aborted Africa Cup of Nations campaign was then further uprooted by November’s flare-up with a security officer at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. Disciplinary issues at the reigning champions then caused him to miss this month’s damaging 3-2 reversal at Al Faisaly.

Yet, whenever Hamdallah’s been on the pitch he’s performed like a true champion. The 29-year-old centre forward leads the way on 18 goals, helping to keep Nassr – just – on leaders Al Hilal’s coattails.

Key statistic: Has registered 98 attempts on goals, three more than second-placed Omar Al Somah of Al Ahli Jeddah.

ABDULLAH AL MAYOUF (AL HILAL)

A global audience only knows Al Mayouf from World Cup 2018’s horror opening against Russia.

Al Hilal fans, however, rightly cheered a recent contract extension for their revitalised custodian. The 33-year-old has grown since the summer’s exit of Oman icon Ali Al Habsi, providing a reliable presence between the sticks for the division’s second-meanest defence.

There is intense competition in the SPL for the Best Goalkeeper prize. Al Mayouf, justifiably, edges Al Nassr’s Brad Jones and Al Shabab’s Farouk Ben Mustapha.

Key statistic: Has already doubled (20) the SPL appearances for 2019/20 when compared to 2018/19 (10).

ROMARINHO (AL ITTIHAD)

Trouble continues to stalk fallen SPL giants Al Ittihad.

Without Romarinho, however, they’d truly be in the mire. The Brazilian provides a beacon of hope for a club that continues to flirt with a first relegation in their 92-year history.

Even when messed about tactically under his former Al Jazira tactician Henk ten Cate, his quality still rose above the mess around him. Romarinho has eight more goals than nearest team-mate Hamdan Al Shamrani and no-one has more assists.

Key statistic: Romarinho’s goals have directly contributed to five extra points. Without them, the 13^th-placed Tigers would be behind Al Fateh and inside the drop zone.