Destined for the lineup: Anan Khalaili's request impressed Crystal Palace

One can only imagine the mood in the Khalaili family home just a few weeks ago when it became known that the son, Anan, would not ultimately join Inter due to the lack of final medical clearance from the authorities in Italy. Frustration, sadness, and disappointment are the exact words to naturally describe the feelings when circumstances beyond his control prevented the flashy move.

However, for people who truly know the composure that characterizes Anan, and as a direct result of the education and discipline he received, the mental strength was expressed in the goal to recover quickly.

Alongside the reassuring message he received from his Belgian club, Union Saint-Gilloise, which allowed him extra days of rest to recover from the failed transfer, Khalaili, his family, and his representatives immediately held their heads high and refused to surrender to the knockout that was dealt to Anan, and which might have been decisive for other footballers.

Italy is out, the home of football is in. Father Majdi instructed Anan's agents to revive the connection with the various teams in England, who had expressed immense interest in the 21-year-old player before his flight to Northern Italy. While Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town showed significant interest, it was Crystal Palace that was the most decisive of all, and they landed Khalaili in South London.

Not falling behind the competitor for the lineup

Ohad Efrat, the Israeli scout who has been working at Crystal Palace for several seasons, says in a special interview: "Khalaili's physical data is equal to and even exceeds that of the Colombian Daniel Munoz. The club sees him as a young and even improved version of the experienced defender. As soon as the deal with Inter did not materialize, a narrow window of opportunity was created, and they went for Khalaili with full force at the right timing."

Can Khalaili be a starter?

"Definitely yes. Crystal Palace does not tend to spend large sums of money on acquisitions, and if they paid so much, then they are counting on him to take the chance with both hands and play consistently. Munoz is at the peak of his career, but he recently turned 30, and in football, age is of course a factor."

What did he say to you when you met at the training complex?

"I have known Anan for quite a few years. He asked me many questions about the club, about the new coach, the players, the atmosphere in the team, the expectations. One of his first questions was whether it is allowed to stay at the training complex for a few hours after the training ends. He really likes to give extra training even after the rest of the players finish the workday and go home.

That is a great question that shows exactly what a professional he is and how hungry he is to succeed here. He is happy, very excited, and also sees how a club like Crystal Palace has known over the years how to develop players and sell them to bigger clubs later on. That is also something that charmed him when he examined the possibility of joining.

The capabilities he offers are diverse, he can play in a variety of positions and present intensity on both sides of the pitch, dangerous offensively alongside good defensive ability. Meeting the standards of the Premier League is a challenge that very few players are capable of meeting, but when Crystal Palace examined his age and his two seasons in Belgium, they believed he has what it takes to adapt to the demanding reality quickly. This is a ruthless league, but the club believes in him and is very excited about his addition."

Why do you think Khalaili preferred Crystal Palace over other Premier League clubs?

"Crystal Palace is a club on the rise, the winner of the FA Cup and the Conference League, with an impressive and above all professional tradition, with a game system that will suit Khalaili very well. They changed the coach in the summer, and still, the system is expected to be the same and accordingly the expectations of the fans from the team and from Khalaili himself. It is an ideal match for both sides, an organized and well-known club in English football that knows how to look all the big clubs in the eye."

How will he feel at the club as an Israeli?

"Anan will feel excellent here, the treatment of each and every player is equal, the dressing room is united, and players arrive from everywhere in the world with completely different types of backgrounds. I am sure they will wrap him up and give him the best and warmest professional and personal support possible."

Arriving as a big promise

Less than three decades since the last two Israelis wore the "Eagles" uniform, and the days of Itzik Zohar and David Amsalem seem distant and completely different compared to the challenge that now stands before Khalaili. The door at Inter that closed before him was disappointing, but the opportunity that opened in the south of the English capital is special in its measure.

The FA Cup holder from a year ago and the fresh Conference League winner invested a lot of capital relative to its size to ensure the services of the promising talent. The most expensive Israeli in history is looking forward to the first moments on the grass at "Selhurst Park" with the goal of paying back the club that believed in him, and making the fans fall in love with him immediately.