Emmanuel Sabbi waited patiently for his chance at Le Havre, just like he's waited patiently for all the opportunities to this point in his football career.
"It comes with a lot of patience," Sabbi told The Sporting News in an exclusive interview, "and learning that when it's not your time, it's time to learn."
That phrase sums up pretty much the entirety of the 26-year-old's career thus far.
Born to Ghanaian parents in Italy, Sabbi grew up in Ohio, committing to the University of Akron but eventually deciding to sign his first professional contract with Las Palmas in Spain. Seeing time in the U.S. youth national team setup, Sabbi was forced to watch from the sidelines as a 19-year-old working his way through the club's depth chart.
That's where he first learned to embrace the watch-and-learn mentality.
EXCLUSIVE: Mia Hamm talks USWNT present and future with The Sporting News
"I couldn't play games, so I was just learning and watching football," Sabbi said. "Learning the ins and outs of my position, and the connections between the winger and the midfield, or winger and striker; seeing how the defenders play against different players. It was a big learning curve for me, and I think that was my first moment of not being able to play and just training. I think it was good for me. I'm very blessed to have gone through that and it shows now.
"When your time comes, you'll see that everything clicks."
Emmanuel Sabbi unleashes an unstoppable rocket for his brace! 🚀😱
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) December 16, 2023
Catch Le Havre vs. Nice LIVE NOW on #beINSPORTS 📺 #HACOGCN #Ligue1 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/m3nWgMuCoD
He's embraced that mentality through his professional career, first in Denmark with Hobro IK for three years and then another Danish club, Odense BK. He earned a step up to a 'big five' European league this past summer, sold to Le Havre where he's had to — once again — break into the starting lineup.
By watching and learning, he did just that, installed into the first-choice XI in October and not looking back. He has scored four goals for his new French club, all since mid-December, leading to his nomination as the club's Player of the Month in January.
"I'm very grateful, the fans have shown me love since day one when I came [to Le Havre]," Sabbi said. "I've been very grateful and blessed to be in the position that I am. I just try to continue to give the team what we need, myself what I need, and the fans of course. I'm honored to be Player of the Month here and just look to continue to produce more greatness."
📂 L1
— Havre Athletic Club ⚽️ (@HAC_Foot) January 15, 2024
└📁 J18
└📁 HAC-OL
└📁 The Sabbi show 🕺 pic.twitter.com/ab1ILG7Msu
Back on the USMNT radar during the end of his time in Denmark, he was called up for his international debut in the 2023 January camp under the interim coaching staff helmed by Anthony Hudson, but he hasn't been back in the mix since. He told The Sporting News that he hasn't heard from Gregg Berhalter since the U.S. head coach slid back into the permanent job this past summer, which makes it difficult to judge where he stands in the national-team fold.
"I actually haven't been in contact with them," Sabbi said. "I just hope that he sees my progression and sees that I'm honored to be called in and wear the crest. I feel pride for my country. I see that we play between the lines a lot in the national team, and it would be great to be a part of that, definitely.
"It's been hard to gauge, because my first call-up was with the interim coaching staff. I was very honored to be a part of that, but it's hard to know where you stand if you don't get in contact and you don't talk to the coach. I just hope they see my progression and that I would love to be called in and be part of that group."
Sabbi is a versatile player, who has been regularly deployed out wide for Le Havre this season and has been stuck in at that spot but has the capabilities to play centrally or even in a playmaking role. With the U.S. national team desperate for consistent attacking players, Sabbi could be a potential candidate should form and fitness become a concern, but so far, it's been hard to push into the upper echelon of USMNT players.
"I grew up playing right winger and the No. 10 position my whole youth career, but since I've been progressing, I think right winger or left winger are my preferred positions," Sabbi said. "But I try to play as best as possible: I've played in the left No. 8 position, No. 10, striker... I think it all makes me a better player to learn different positions."
Sabbi believes that he's added an extra gear to his game since moving to France — something he has found that gives him an extra dimension on the field, especially playing for a side that is often forced to concede possession and play off the ball.
"Intensity brings space, intensity brings new ideas," Sabbi said. "Being intensive and aggressive on the ball is maybe something I was lacking a little in Denmark, the intensity and aggression to keep going forward, play between the lines, turn... we do it so often in training here that it progresses into the games. I think that's my biggest learning curve here: intensity and aggression.
"For me personally, in my position, the most unappreciated part is the defensive work that we do. We do quite a lot of defensive work. To be able to do that defensive work and then transition into offense is pretty tough as a winger, but that's what we train for and what our bodies are used to. So, getting that defensive motion into attacking positions is tough for the position I play."
Now, all Sabbi can do is put his head down and force the U.S. coaching staff to notice his production. There are plenty of other candidates for positions at the senior side in the USMNT squad, and he was not included on the preliminary U.S. roster for the CONCACAF Nations League finals in March.
So, while it's not his time, it's time to learn. With the Copa America this summer and the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Sabbi hopes that time comes. For now, he has other business to attend to, waiting for the call.
