Saudi Team of the Week: Ahmed Hegazy is a rock for Al Ittihad, Ever Banega also keeps shining

Every week we will pick 22 of the Saudi Professional League’s best performing players and, with your help, narrow it down to the best XI.
Using polls on our @sport360_saudi Instagram Stories, we pit players in each position against each other and let you decide who deserves to make the cut.
Follow our Instagram page to get involved.
Here’s what the latest SPL Team of the Week looks like:
Goalkeeper: Mohammed Al Owais (Al Ahli Jeddah)
The 29-year-old made eight saves in an encouraging 2-1 victory against floundering 2018/19 champions Al Nassr, including a vital penalty stop from Abderazzak Hamdallah at 0-0.
Right-back: Abdullah Tarmin (Al Ahli Jeddah)
The 23-year-old put in a measured display in the victory against Nassr which moved them up to second. Produced nine interceptions.
Centre-back: Ahmed Hegazy (Al Ittihad)
Egypt centre-back – on loan from West Bromwich Albion – continues to be a class apart in the Kingdom. Made 16 interceptions for his fourth-placed employers in 1-1 Al Shabab draw, plus sits top for headers won in own penalty area with 18 from six run-outs.
Centre-back: Igor Rossi (Al Faisaly)
Dominant figure in 2-0 Al Raed win which kept Faisaly fifth. Only Al Batin’s Saad Al Khayri (73) has made more interceptions than the Brazilian (69).
2-?صور من عمليات الإحماء والتسخين للفريق الاول لكرة القدم #الاتفاق_الفيصلي pic.twitter.com/REGRoSOLAw— النادي الفيصلي السعودي (@AlFaisaly) December 17, 2020
Left-back: Sari Amr (Abha)
Veteran helped shut out Al Taawoun, losing the ball just once in his half. Abha are four points from danger, in ninth.
Midfielder: Alexander Merkel (Al Faisaly)
Former AC Milan and Udinese midfielder is a growing SPL force. Made 14 recoveries against Raed in a deeper defensive position.
Midfielder: Ever Banega (Al Shabab)
Banega’s majestic influence witnessed an 89-per-cent pass accuracy registered in 1-1 draw with Al Ittihad. Shabab, though, have dropped to third after just one win from four fixtures.
Midfielder: Driss Fettouhi (Al Ahli Jeddah)
Moroccan midfielder broke his Ahli duck in style, scoring a refined free-kick and resounding penalty-kick against Nassr. Continues to look a smart recruit from relegated Al Hazem.
Right wing: Mohammed Al Kuwaykbi (Ettifaq)
Low finish in the 4-2 triumph against Damac was dynamic Saudi Arabia winger’s first since February. This built on the previous round’s assist in the stalemate with Nassr.
الهدف الثالث لـ #الاتفاق من الشنب محمد الكويكبي ‘79 ??? pic.twitter.com/wAWWqZB5Xk— نادي الاتفاق (@Ettifaq) December 12, 2020
Centre forward: Ahmed Abdoh Jaber (Al Wehda)
Wehda’s last-gasp hero pounced again to end holders Al Hilal’s unbeaten start. Intelligently finished in the roof of the net in the 91st minute, securing a 2-1 victory and repeating his late antics from match-week one’s meeting with promoted Al Qadsiyah.
Left wing: Naim Sliti (Ettifaq)
Tunisian creator is, arguably, the division’s form player. Scored two goals from three shots v Damac, building on previous effort versus Nassr by the 10th-placed outfit.