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Idan Tal - Striker

Squad No.	14
Joined	Oct 2000
Transfer Fee	� 700k
Signed by	Walter Smith
Debut	v Newcastle United (a), 21 October 2000
Contract; Expired	3 years; June 2003
Final�	v Leyton Orient (h) 26 January 2002
Left Everton	to Join Rayo Vallecano 6 September 2002
Born	Beer Sheva, Israel
Date of birth	2 October 1975
Height	5' 8" (173 cm)
Nicknames	Zidane
Honours	Israeli International

STRENGTHS

Pat Nevin reincarnate?
Can play both wings

WEAKNESSES

Lacking in physical strength

Idan Tal joined Everton as a 24-year-old Israeli international left winger with 20-odd caps after impressing during a trial at Everton's Il Ciocco summer training camp in the summer of 2000.

However, he was forced to wait until he had played two more games for his country before he had satisfied the UK Department of Employment's pre-requisite international games for a work permit and the transfer could go through.

The details of his transfer fee are not entirely clear. One suggestion in an Israeli newspaper indicates that Everton must pay a further �700k (i.e. on top of the original �700k paid up front once Idan Tal has notched up 40 appearances.

Idan moved from Maccabi Petah Tikva in the Israeli league not long after completing a loan spell in the Spanish Second Division with Merida who collapsed due to financial problems. He left Maccabi as their top scorer and there were high hopes for his future at Goodison Park.

However, while he was sufficiently impressive during his early forays in the first team as a substitute to warrant a run in the side to prove himself, he wasn't given the opportunity by Walter Smith in either of his first two seasons with the Blues. A crucial equalising volley against Middlesbrough and a 20-yard free kick against Sunderland on the final day of the 2000/01 season were not enough to persuade his manager to either take a chance on him or have the courage to play two wingers.

Reminiscent of Pat Nevin in many ways, Idan is quick and likes to run at and beat defenders to get crosses in. However, he has struggled so far to cope with the physical presence of the Premiership's defenders, finding himself knocked off the ball a little too easily.

Clearly not rated by David Moyes � he never made the first team under Moyes's tenure � the writing was on the wall for the young Israeli; he left for better opportunities in Spain.

Everton Career
Season	Squad Number	League Apps (sub)	League Goals	Cup Apps (sub)	Cup Goals	Total Apps (sub)	Total Goals
2000-01	33	12 (10)	2	0 (2)	0	12 (12)	2
2001-02	14	1 (6)	0	1 (1)	0	2 (7)	0
2002-03	14	0 (0)	0	0 (0)	0	0 (0)	0
	Totals	13 (16)	2	1 (3)	0	14 (19)	2

Previous Career
Seasons	Club	Appearances	Goals
1996-1998	Hapoel Jerusalem (Isr)	-	-
1998-2000	Maccabi Petah Tikva (Isr)	-	-
1994-1995	Merida (Esp - on loan)	-	-

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Match Report

Everton History

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Talking Points

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