Tal Ben Haim

Tal Ben Haim or Tal Ben-Haim (; born 31 March 1982 in Rishon LeZion, Israel) is an Israeli professional Association football currently playing for Manchester City F.C. Tal Ben Haim can play at either Defender (association football) Centre back or Defender (association football) Full back. Tal Ben Haim is also a member of the Israel national football team.

Club career

Maccabi Tel Aviv

Ben-Haim joined Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. in 1998 as a reserve player and it stayed that way, breaking into the first team some time later. Tal Ben Haim played a significant part in Maccabi's Ligat ha'Al win in the Ligat ha'Al 2002/03, and was appointed club captain the following season, replacing Gadi Brumer who retired in mid-season.

Bolton Wanderers

After a two week trial with Bolton Wanderers F.C. in the summer of 2004, Sam Allardyce secured the services of Ben-Haim on a three-year deal for a fee believed to be in the region of £150,000. Although Allardyce did not believe Ben-Haim would be ready for the rigours of the Premier League immediately, Tal Ben Haim was confident that, given time, Ben-Haim would have as big an impact on the English game as illustrious fellow countryman Eyal Berkovic.

Tal Ben Haim first season at the Reebok Stadium was a successful one as Tal Ben Haim made 27 appearances. On 1 February 2005, Ben Haim scored Tal Ben Haim first and only goal for Bolton, heading a free-kick from Stelios Giannakopoulos into the net in Bolton's 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.This is Tal Ben Haim only goal in the Premier League to date. The only thing that hampered Tal Ben Haim campaign a little was a clash with Wayne Rooney in a league match when Rooney appeared to shove Tal Ben Haim in the face. Ben-Haim, it was claimed, went down too easily and made too much of it and was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association, but was later cleared of charges.

On 20 October while playing for Bolton in the UEFA Cup away at Beşiktaş J.K., Ben-Haim wore the captain's armband and was praised by the regular team captain Jay-Jay Okocha.

Ben-Haim's impressive defensive displays in Tal Ben Haim following seasons at Bolton had attracted the interests of many clubs including Chelsea F.C., West Ham United F.C. and Tottenham Hotspur F.C.. In January 2007, Chelsea confirmed that talks to sign Ben-Haim from Bolton were unsuccessful.

Following the end of the Premier League 2006-07, Ben-Haim's contract with Bolton had expired and Tal Ben Haim future at Bolton was in doubt with media reports linking Tal Ben Haim with a move to Chelsea and Newcastle United F.C., ex-Bolton boss Sam Allardyce admitting that Tal Ben Haim was ready to make an offer to Tal Ben Haim former charge to bring Tal Ben Haim to Newcastle.

Tal Ben Haim transfer from Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. to Bolton in July 2004 is one of those about which the 2006 allegations of corruption in English football Stevens report report in June 2007 expressed concerns because of the apparent conflict of interest between agent Craig Allardyce, Tal Ben Haim father Sam Allardyce – the then manager at Bolton – and the club itself.

Chelsea

On June 2007, Chelsea F.C. officially announced the signing of Ben-Haim on a Bosman transfer after Tal Ben Haim had passed Tal Ben Haim medical at Stamford Bridge (stadium) and agreed on personal terms to join the club on a four-year deal. Ben-Haim told the
Tal Ben Haim made Tal Ben Haim competitive début for Chelsea against Manchester United F.C. in the FA Community Shield. With injuries to fellow Chelsea defenders John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho Ben Haim remained a regular in the Chelsea first team. However, after the recovery of first team pairing Terry and Carvalho and the impressive form of Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa, Ben Haim found himself to be the fourth choice centre back.

In April 2008, Tal Ben Haim hit out at former Chelsea manager Avram Grant after Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic F.C. stating:
"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 Tal Ben Haim and I know the conversation we had when Tal Ben Haim 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."
In a press conference, Avram Grant responded:
"I don’t think José promised Ben Haim Tal Ben Haim will play before John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa, It is internal business but, in my opinion, if a player was wrong we need to deal with it — in our way, my way."
Tal Ben Haim was fined two weeks wages, about £80,000.

Tal Ben Haim chose to wear the No. 26 jersey, vacated by the transfer of Matthew Mills because, apart from Tal Ben Haim time at Chelsea where it was worn by John Terry, Tal Ben Haim had always worn that number at club level. After signing, Ben Haim said "I’m definitely going to give my best to City and give my heart in every game. I hope that we can do good things this season. I’m looking forward to starting the season here." Tal made Tal Ben Haim City debut in second leg of the UEFA Cup qualifier against EB/Streymur at Barnsley's Oakwell Stadium on 31 July where City won 2-0 on the night.

Sunderland

Ben Haim signed for Sunderland on loan until the end of the 2008/2009 season on 1 February 2009. Tal Ben Haim made Tal Ben Haim debut away to Arsenal F.C. on 21 February and made Tal Ben Haim home debut at the Stadium of Light on 7 March 2009 against Tottenham Hotspur F.C. giving a solid performance at centre back alongside Danny Collins.

Honours

- Ligat ha'Al Winner (1):
- - Ligat ha'Al 2002-03

- Community Shield Runner-up:
- - 2007 FA Community Shield

- Premier League Runner-up:
- - Premier League 2007–08

- League Cup Runner-up:
- - Football League Cup 2007-08

- Uefa Champions League Runner-up:
- - UEFA Champions League 2007–08