Abel Xavier talks about Rafa Benitez and his own move from Everton to Liverpool in 2002

I'd forgotten about that crazy handball he did that gave Zinadine Zidane the chance for a late Golden Goal penalty win over Portugal in Euro2000. There was a massive onfield fracas with the Portugal players reacting very badly and Xavier getting an incredible 9-month ban from Uefa matches.

It's true, the reaction to his defection to the Red side was much less visceral than had greeted Barmby's shocking defection just 15 months earlier. Different times…

Was he any good?

James, he wasn't brilliant but he was way better than the Portuguese waste-of-space/salary who later took the shirt, Nuno Valente.

I think the reaction to his cross-park move was so muted because he was bang average.

Secretly some were even glad to see him go. Played well for Portugal though and looked good with his bleached blonde 'fro.

James #2

He wasn't as good as he thought he was.

His Everton career highlight was he played in the 99 Derby win at Anfield

Had a history of falling out with managers, got banned for taking steroids, went bankrupt.

In the Everton Hall of Fame he's below Stracqualursi and marginally ahead of John Spencer.

It's probably because, unlike scumbag Barmby, he didn't cost a small fortune, stink the place out for 3 seasons, then demand a transfer to Liverpool after finally having one good season.

Thanks gents. Explains why I never heard his name in here before this.

Don 3. A bit unfair on Nuno Valente. He was a good unassuming pro and very good left back.

The one thing that sticks in my mind is.

I had a tenner every game he played for us to score the first goal, never happened.

He signs for Liverpool and on his debut...

He was okay, James, and the previous posts, both good and bad, pretty much sum him up. It's probably why (unless I missed something), he kind of faded away.

I agree Rob, harsh on Valente. I thought he was decent. Not great, but for where we were at the time, decent.

Barmby. My poor son's first heartbreak moment that I had to deal with. We were in Italy at the time and held a Brit community bonfire night, 5th November, year 2000 after the summer transfer. We took responsibility for providing Guy Fawkes and dressed him in my son's Everton Barmby shirt before putting him on his perch on top of the fire, much to the amusement / concern (*delete as appropriate) of the watching crowd.

Childish, but he was only 6. And I was 29. Choose / spot the child!!!

Don, how was Valente worse than Xavier? Bit surprised by that shout, though maybe you spotted something we didn't, given that they played in sides with contrasting abilities.

Thought Xavier was pretty garbage tbh.

A garbage utility player really. One minute he was a centre-half, one minute a centre-mid, one minute a right-back. If I recall correctly (just to rub salt in blue wounds), I think he might've scored on his Liverpool debut, of course after failing to score for Everton in his 2/3 years at the club.

No-one lost any sleep over selling him (the club had to sell what they could at that time). Last thing I heard about Xavier was that he converted to Islam and changed his name (but I seriously couldn't be assed to Google that).

A very average Premier Leaue player who filled in multiple positions and never excelled at any of them, bar the odd good game.

As someone else said, Barmby was different because he was our record transfer, produced nothing for 3 seasons then had an excellent 99-00 season playing on the right of midfield where he weighed in with 10 goals.

Then demanded a transfer to fucking Liverpool!!!

I always thought Nuno Valente was a decent player.

Gerry 14, so did Mourinho, he picked him for his Champions League-winning Porto side, but some seem to know better.

Abel Xavier with Portugal; unable Xavier with Everton.

Like other posters have said: average, this explains the lack of animosity towards his transfer.

It was greeted with bemusement more than anything really. I think his bleach blonde Neptune look was the most memorable thing about him.

As for Nuno Valente, I genuinely can't remember him. I've got a complete blank spot there. I was going to Goodison regularly at the time so this might say more about me than the player?

Any famous highlights from him? That's football – not hairstyle.

Good post Billy, agreed.

A reminder, there is just about 6 hours left on the auction for the signed Pat Nevin autobiography the only bid to date is £30. All proceeds to the TW Golf Day charity appeal. Given that the price of the book is £20 I would have thought that the auction would have raised more.

Come on blues be generous.

Stephen. Do you have a link?