Ramadan Sobhi

Ramadan Sobhi
Personal information
Full name Ramadan Sobhi Ahmed[1]
Date of birth (1997-01-23) 23 January 1997[2]
Place of birth Cairo, Egypt
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[3]
Playing position Attacking midfielder / Winger
Club information
Current team
 Huddersfield Town
Number 14
Youth career
2005–2014 Al Ahly
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2016 Al Ahly 55 (11)
2016–2018 Stoke City 41 (2)
2018– Huddersfield Town 1 (0)
National team‡
2013–2014 Egypt U17 19 (6)
2015 Egypt U20 2 (0)
2015 Egypt U23 9 (4)
2015– Egypt 28 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:38, 19 August 2018 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 17:32, 25 June 2018 (UTC)

Ramadan Sobhi Ahmed (Egyptian Arabic: رمضان صبحي‎, translit. Ramaḍān Subḥī; born 23 January 1997) is an Egyptian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Huddersfield Town and the Egypt national team.

Sobhi began his career with leading Egyptian club Al Ahly, making his professional debut in February 2014. He established himself in the first team at the Cairo International Stadium and helped Al Ahly to win the Egyptian Premier League title in the 2013–14 and 2015–16 campaigns. His performances attracted the attentions of European clubs and in July 2016 he joined English side Stoke City for a fee of £5 million. He spent two seasons with Stoke before joining Huddersfield Town in June 2018.

Club career

Al Ahly

After progressing through the youth ranks at Cairo club Al Ahly, Sobhi made his professional debut at the age of 16 on 6 February 2014, in a 2013–14 Egyptian Premier League match against Ghazl El Mahalla under the management of Mohamed Youssef.[4] In April 2014 he took part in the Sheikh Zayed friendly tournament in the UAE with Al Ahly-U17's, and attracted the attentions of Spanish club Atlético Madrid.[5] On 16 June 2014, he scored his first goal for Al Ahly in a 3–0 win over Misr Lel-Makkasa.[6] On 28 June 2014 he started the decisive championship play-off match against city rivals, Zamalek and helped his team to a 1–0 victory.[7] On 2 July he scored twice against Petrojet to secure a 4–0 win and Al Ahly went on to claim the league title.[8][9] In March 2015, Sobhi signed a long-term contract with Al Ahly.[10][11]

Sobhi helped Al Ahly win the 2014 Egyptian Super Cup against Zamalek.[12] He became a regular under Juan Garrido and his performances in 2014–15 attracted the attentions of European clubs, including Arsenal, RB Leipzig, Roma, Sampdoria and Udinese.[13][14][15][16][17] He scored a late equalizer against Al-Masry on 10 January 2015, in what was the first meeting between the clubs since the 2012 Port Said Stadium riot.[18] Sobhi attracted international attention after he stood on the ball in a 2–0 win against Zamalek on 21 July 2015, which caused Hazem Emam to kick out at Sobhi and was sent off.[19] Al Ahly ended the 2014–15 campaign in second place behind their arch rivals Zamalek.[20]

Sobhi caused controversy in the 2015 Egyptian Super Cup against Zamalek as he repeated his stand on the ball trick which enraged the Zamalek players.[21] Al Ahly went on to win the match 3–2 and he later apologized for his showboating.[22] He was sent off for the first time in his career on 15 April 2016 in a match against ENPPI, for an argument with an ENNPI player at half time.[23][24] Sobhi played in 28 league matches for Al Ahly in 2015–16 under Martin Jol as the side claimed another league title.[25]

Stoke City

Sobhi signed for Premier League club Stoke City on 25 July 2016 for a fee of £5 million.[26][27] He made his Premier League debut for Stoke on 20 August 2016 against Manchester City.[28] He made his first assist for Stoke on 31 October 2016 in a 3–1 win against Swansea City as his cross was deflected in by Alfie Mawson for an own goal.[29][30] He made his first Premier League start in the next match against West Ham United, becoming the first teenager to start a league game for Stoke in nine years.[31] After returning from the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, Sobhi impressed in home wins over Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough.[32][33] Sobhi played 19 times in 2016–17, as Stoke finished in 13th position.[34][35][36]

Prior to the start of the 2017–18 season, Sobhi signed a new five-year contract with the Potters.[37] He scored his first goal for Stoke on 23 August 2017 in a 4–0 EFL Cup win over Rochdale.[38] He scored his first Premier League goal on 23 December 2017, in a 3–1 win against West Bromwich Albion.[39] He followed this up with a goal against Huddersfield Town in a 1–1 on boxing day.[40] Sobhi made 27 appearances in 2017–18 as Stoke suffered relegation to the EFL Championship.[41]

Huddersfield Town

Sobhi joined Huddersfield Town on 12 June 2018, signing a three-year deal for a fee of £5.7 million.[42]

International career

Sobhi made his national team debut against Tanzania on 14 June 2015 in the first round of 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the age of 17 years, 11 months and 18 days, to become the second youngest player to ever play for the Egyptian national team after Mido. On 29 March he scored his first international goal on top level, in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification game against Nigeria.[43] In January Sobhi was selected by Héctor Cúper in the Egyptian squad that competed in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. Sobhi was mainly used as a substitute in the competition, featuring in four games out of the six as Egypt lost in the final to Cameroon.[44] In May 2018 he was named in Egypt's preliminary squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[45]

Style of play

Sobhi is mostly used upfront on either wings, although he also can be used as an attacking midfielder or a secondary striker.[46] His style of play, which combines dribbling, clinical passing, vision, and an eye for goal, made him dubbed on several occasions as the new Mohamed Aboutrika, who is considered to be one of Egypt's greatest footballers.[46]

Personal life

Speaking in February 2016, Sobhi stated that he supports Spanish side Real Madrid.[47] He is married to Habiba Ekramy, sister of Ahly ex-teammate and national teammate Sherif Ekramy.[48]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 19 August 2018[2][49]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Al Ahly 2013–14[49] Egyptian Premier League 3100—3[lower-alpha 1]263
2014–15[49] Egyptian Premier League 24543—3[lower-alpha 2]0318
2015–16[49] Egyptian Premier League 28500—6[lower-alpha 3]1346
Total 551143—1237117
Stoke City 2016–17[34] Premier League 1700020—190
2017–18[41] Premier League 2421021—273
Total 4121041—463
Huddersfield Town 2018–19[50] Premier League 100000—10
Career total 9713534112311820
  1. ↑ Appearances and goals in the Egyptian Premier League Championship play-offs
  2. ↑ One appearance in Egyptian Super Cup, two in CAF Champions League
  3. ↑ One appearance in Egyptian Super Cup, five and one goal in CAF Champions League

International

As of match played 25 June 2018[49]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Egypt
201520
201681
2017110
201870
Total281

International goals

Egypt score listed first, score column indicates score after each Sobhi goal.[49]

International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition Ref
1 29 March 2016Borg El Arab Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt6 Nigeria1–01–02017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification[43]

Honours

Club

Al Ahly

International

References

  1. ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia – List of Players" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "RAMADAN SOBHI". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  3. ↑ "Ramadan Sobhi". Premier League. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  4. ↑ "Individual Highlights: 16-year-old Ramadan Sobhy's first official match with Al Ahly". King Fut. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  5. ↑ "Ramadan Sobhy among three Al Ahly youth players Atlético Madrid show interest in". King Fut. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  6. ↑ "Ramadan Sobhy shines as Al Ahly cruise past Misr El-Maqassa". King Fut. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  7. ↑ "Al Ahly overcome Zamalek in 108th league Cairo derby". King Fut. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  8. ↑ "Four-star Al Ahly cruise past Petrojet". King Fut. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  9. ↑ "Al Ahly win unprecedented 37th league title following Smouha stalemate". King Fut. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  10. ↑ "Ramadan Sobhy signs new 5-year contract with Al Ahly". King Fut. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  11. ↑ "Al Ahly extend contracts of 8 players". King Fut. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  12. ↑ "Al Ahly beat Zamalek to win Egypt Super Cup". King Fut. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  13. ↑ "Al Ahly receive Arsenal trial offer for Ramadan Sobhy: Wael Reyad". King Fut. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  14. ↑ "Al Ahly youngster Ramadan Sobhy on RB Leipzig's radar – Report". King Fut. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  15. ↑ "Sampdoria bid for Al Ahly's Ramadan Sobhy". King Fut. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  16. ↑ "Udinese interested in Al Ahly duo Sobhy, Trezeguet". King Fut. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  17. ↑ "AS Roma send official offer for Ramadan Sobhy". King Fut. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  18. ↑ "Sobhy salvages late point for Al Ahly against Al Masry". King Fut. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  19. ↑ "Football – Al Ahly midfielder Ramadan Sobhi gets player sent off after standing on the ball". Yahoo. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  20. ↑ "Al Ahly down Al Masry 2–0 to secure second place". King Fut. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  21. ↑ "Tempers flair as Al Ahly defeat Zamalek in Abu Dhabi to win Super Cup". King Fut. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  22. ↑ "Ramadan Sobhy apologises for showboating". King Fut. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  23. ↑ "10-man Al Ahly beat ENPPI to widen gap with Zamalek". King Fut. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  24. ↑ "Martin Jol: Ramadan's sending off really bothered me". King Fut. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  25. ↑ "Al Ahly secure 38th league title after beating Ismaily". King Fut. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  26. ↑ "Potters Seal Sobhi Swoop". Stoke City. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  27. ↑ "Ramadan Sobhi: Stoke sign Egyptian winger from Al Ahly". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  28. ↑ "Stoke 1–4 Man City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  29. ↑ "Mark Hughes knew the time was right to turn to Ramadan Sobhi". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  30. ↑ "Stoke 3–1 Swansea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  31. ↑ "West Ham v Stoke: Ramadan Sobhi bidding to be first teenage league starter in nine years". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  32. ↑ "Stoke goal hero Joe Allen heaps praise on Ramadan Sobhi". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  33. ↑ "Stoke 2 Middlesbrough 0 TALKING POINT: Ramadan Sobhi has the cocktail to be Boothen End favourite". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  34. 1 2 "Games played by Ramadan Sobhi in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  35. ↑ "Stoke 2016/17 Premier League season review". Sky Sports. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  36. ↑ "Stoke's Ramadan Sobhi: 'It was not arrogance, it was just a bit of skill'". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  37. ↑ "Stoke City hand long-term contract to Ramadan Sobhi". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  38. ↑ "Ramadan Sobhi scores first Stoke goal as Potters progress in EFL Cup". Kingfut. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  39. ↑ "Stoke 3–1 West Brom". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  40. ↑ "Huddersfield 1-1 Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  41. 1 2 "Games played by Ramadan Sobhi in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  42. ↑ "Ramadan Sobhi: Huddersfield Town sign Stoke City winger for £5.7m". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  43. 1 2 "Egypt 1–0 Nigeria: Eagles fail to qualify for Africa Cup of Nations after Egypt defeat". Goal.com. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  44. 1 2 "Egypt 1–2 Cameroon". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  45. ↑ "World Cup 2018: All the confirmed squads for this summer's finals in Russia".
  46. 1 2 "A new prodigy rises in Egypt". FIFA. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  47. ↑ "Ramadan Sobhy: I support Real Madrid". King Fut. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  48. ↑ "Ramadan Sobhy is engaged to sister of Sherif Ekramy". Sada Elbalad. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  49. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Sobhi, Ramadan". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  50. ↑ "Games played by Ramadan Sobhi in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
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