POWER MOVE’S ABOUT MONEY

RONALDO, Neymar, Benzema, Mahrez,

Kessie, Mane, Fabinho, Firmino, Kante, Koulibaly, Laporte, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Saint-Maximin… and Max Power.

Underneath the star names that have catapulted the Saudi Pro League on to the football world stage, there is also a different level of player like Power, who made his name at Wigan and Sunderland.

The midfielder became a free agent in the summer and despite offers from several Championship clubs — alongside an interesting one from Wrexham — he chose instead to join Robbie Fowler’s Al-Qadsiah.

They are a level below the Pro League but, despite a poor campaign last season, are a club with big ambitions and a new big-name manager in Fowler, which explains Power’s decision to turn his back on English football.

Money

“Any footballer who says it’s not about the money is lying,” said Power.

“Everyone wants to be valued, so they take the best offer. I’ve got a wife and three children and every decision now is based around them.

“But we’re not talking telephone numbers, I’m not that profile of player.

“So I had to take a different route — let’s just say that I’ve come to terms with the fact that Jurgen Klopp isn’t going to call now I’m 30.

“Here, though, we’re ambitious, Robbie has got a clear plan and a clear philosophy, and the aim absolutely is to get in the Pro League next season.

“We all believe in it — that would give the chance to play against the likes of Ronaldo, Neymar.”

Power was born in Birkenhead and is a lifelong Liverpool fan. His idol as a kid was Steven Gerrard, now manager at Al-Ettifaq, based in the same city as Fowler’s Al-Qadsiah.

Power added: “Imagine a Fowler-Gerrard derby next season — it would be the biggest game in the Pro League by far!”