Haim, Tal Ben (2007-2008)

[loz]

Tal Ben Haim (2007-2008)

Written by Alan and last updated July 2008

Tal Ben Haim joined Chelsea in June from Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer. He is a versatile player who can play centre back and right back and will provide cover in defence. Ben Haim started his career in Israel, playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv. He arrived there as a reserve player in 1998 and broke into the first team soon after joining. He served two years of military service from 2000-2002. Upon his return he played a key role in Maccabi's Israeli Premier League title win in the 2002/2003 season.

In the summer of 2004, Ben Haim had a two week trial at Bolton. Sam Allardyce was impressed and signed Ben Haim on a three year contract, and is believed to have paid a fee of around £150,000 for Ben Haim's services. The deal would prove to be a bargain for Allardyce and Bolton. He made his debut in the 4-1 thrashing of Charlton Athletic and went on to make 27 appearances, scoring 1 goal, against Tottenham.

There was one unsavoury incident in his debut season when he clashed with Wayne Rooney. Rooney appeared to shove him in the face and it was claimed that Ben Haim went down to easily. He was subsequently charged with improper conduct by the FA, although the charges would later be dropped. Ben Haim wore the captains armband at Bolton in an away UEFA Cup match against Besiktas on October 20th 2005, and earned praise for his performance.

In his time at Bolton, he established a reputation as a solid and competent defender. He has also carved out a solid international career, making 33 appearances for the Israeli national team.

In January 2007, Chelsea were interested in bringing Ben Haim to Stamford Bridge due to our injury crisis. Apparently Abramovich wouldn't sanction money for the deal and it didn't go through.

Chelsea would come calling again in the summer and this time the move did go through, and on a free transfer as Ben Haim was out of contract at Bolton. He turned down the chance to be re-united with Sam Allardyce at Newcastle. In his time at Bolton Ben Haim made 110 appearances for the club and scored one goal.

Upon completing his move to Chelsea, Ben Haim said: "I am very happy to join one of the best clubs in the world. I needed a new challenge. I will play in any position Jose Mourinho wants me to play. I am looking forward to starting the new season with Champions League football."

As well as completing a move to Chelsea, Ben Haim also got married to Michal Hemo in Israel, guests included Premiership footballers. Ben Haim became the second Israeli international at Chelsea, with young striker Ben Sahar being the other.

OK so his choice in friends is more dubious then his choice in employers! It is fair to say that Ben Haim's Chelsea career so far has not been a staggering success. He is very much a bit-part player and has looked less than solid when put into the first team this season.

His first team opportunities were limited when Carvalho and Terry returned to fitness, and his last appearance in a Chelsea shirt came against Huddersfield in the FA Cup.

In April he didn't do his first team chances any good by criticising then manager Avram Grant. He told the Sun:

"If I knew Avram Grant was going to be the coach I would have signed for another club. It was Jose who brought me here and no one except he and I know the conversation we had when he tried to sign me the first time a year ago last January. The fact is while Jose was the coach I played most of the games and people who know me know that I would not have come here to be a reserve. I knew nothing good would come for me with Grant as Chelsea coach." He was promptly fined two weeks wages (said to be £80,000).

In recent weeks rumours have been doing the rounds that Ben Haim is set for a move to Man City in a deal worth £5m. It would represent a tidy profit by the club on a player who was brought in as a squad member and has hardly lit up the club with his performances.

Loz Comment: A matter of weeks after Alan updated this profile Ben Haim was indeed sold to City. The fee was undisclosed but it was widely reported to be in the area of £5m.