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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
Finalé 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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