It’s been a period of change at Al Ettifaq in recent weeks, with the headline news being the departure of Steven Gerrard as manager after 18 months in charge.
With the Liverpool legend having departed, highly rated Saudi coach Saad Al Shehri has been given his chance in the hotseat.
So far, the Dammam-born coach and has made a positive start to turning around the club’s fortunes, with two wins out of three ahead of a trip on Friday to title-challenging Al Nassr.
One move that went a little more under the radar, however, but could ultimately prove just as significant, was the signing by Al Ettifaq of Saudi Arabia international midfielder Mukhtar Ali from Al Nassr.
Last month, the former Chelsea youth product committed his future to the East Coast club until 2029 after years spent on loan with the likes of Al Tai and Al Fateh.
Certainly, Ali’s is a star that shone bright early. Born in Jeddah but raised in London, he first entered the Chelsea academy aged eight and his talent became quickly recognised on the ultra-competitive pitch of west London.
In the 2015-16 season, Ali played a leading role in helping Chelsea go all the way in the UEFA Youth League (basically an Under-19s version of the UEFA Champions League), featuring in every game and even providing an assist in the final: a 2-1 win against French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
It was a stacked Chelsea youth team at the time, with players such as Mason Mount (now at Manchester United), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan) and Tammy Abraham (AS Roma, currently on loan at Milan).
The collective dominated the FA Youth Cup around the same period, with Ali contributing to a hat-trick of trophy successes between 2014 and 2016.
“I played with some of the best academy players at Chelsea," Ali said in an interview with the New York Times in 2022. "Jeremie Boga, Dominic Solanke, Charly Musonda were amazing, and Tammy Abraham was just different class."
Ali was able to more than hold his own, his performances soon rewarded with call-ups for England’s U-16 and U-17 national teams.
A Chelsea side boasting so much ability proved a double-edged sword, though. On one hand, Ali was surrounded by some of the best young talent in the country; on the other it made getting a chance with the senior team that much more difficult.
While he trained with the first team, taking in the quality of the likes of Cesc Fabregas and John Terry, a senior-football opportunity did come his way.
As a lot of Chelsea youth players did at the time, Ali spent time on loan with Vitesse in the Eredivisie, where he showed flashes of his ability. Indeed, it was enough to earn him a full-time contract.
All the time, those inside football back in Saudi Arabia were aware of Ali’s potential. Remaining on their radar, he was rewarded with a call-up to the Saudi national team in 2017. Then, in a friendly against Jamaica, he marked his debut by providing an assist in a 5-2 win.
“The debut is probably one of my best moments so far,” Ali said. “To make an impression like that on your debut was phenomenal.”
With an eye on cementing his spot with the Green Falcons, he sought a move to Saudi, figuring it was better to be under the nose of the national-team coaches based in the Kingdom. Aware of his obvious talent, multiple clubs wanted Ali.
However, in the end, Al Nassr secured his signature.
“Before I joined Al Nassr,” Ali explained, “the year before, I had the option to join Al Ittihad and I was approached by Al Ettifaq... but when Al Nassr came, it was a no-brainer for me.”
That first season back in Saudi was a successful one.
Establishing himself at an Al Nassr with Rui Vitoria as manager, Ali played 20 games in the 2019-20 RSL, and another eight on the continent as the capital club made a run to the semi-final of the AFC Champions League in the COVID-enforced bubble in Qatar.
Yet, despite his impressive form, opportunities were harder to come by the following campaign (five league appearances). So, Ali made the loan move to Al Tai for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons.
Gradually through time in Haʼil, and then on another loan, in Al Ahsa with Al Fateh, he rediscovered his best form, earning a recall to the national team in November 2023 for a 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Pakistan.
Making that World Cup squad for next year for sure represents a primary target for Ali. Although, to do that, he needs to be playing regularly. It’s why, therefore, the transfer to Al Ettifaq could be so beneficial for both him and his new employers.
For Al Ettifaq, they pick up a classy midfielder who has shown he can perform at this level, but one that arrives driven and still hungry to, not only find regular game-time, but show he can dominate.
Ali, meanwhile, finally gets a stable home after years spent on loan; a place where he can find his feet again, and alongside a coach who knows all about his game. And that personal connection could be the most important component.
Ali worked extensively with Al Shehri with the Saudi Arabia U23s across a number of years, becoming a key cog in the side that qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Clearly, the Al Ettifaq manager understands what makes Ali tick, while Ali recognises what Al Shehri wants from, and expects of, him in the team.
They come together at a time of great need for both, with Al Ettifaq sitting 10th in the RSL ahead of Friday night's high-prolife encounter with Al Nassr – where Ali gets the chance almost immediately to take on his former club.
At 27, and given a new challenge, he is entering what are considered a footballer’s peak years and thus will know now is the time to showcase the talent that first came to life almost 15 years ago on the lush pitches at Chelsea’s Cobham Training Centre.
“My goal is to be the best midfielder in the continent of Asia," Ali said in 2022. "And it is possible; I think I am capable of it. I want to – no, I have to be – at the 2026 World Cup, Inshallah.”
