Anan Khalaili Struggles to Impact Israel National Football Team

Anan Khalaili, the most expensive player in Israeli football history, is yet to make a significant impact on the national team, despite being a key player for his club, Crystal Palace. The 22-year-old winger has not scored or assisted for Israel, and his performances have drawn concern, particularly in the recent Nations League match against Austria. In that game, Khalaili was deployed in a more advanced role than he plays for his club and struggled to contribute, failing to touch the ball in the opponent's box and being implicated in a late goal conceded by Israel.

Coach Ran Ben Shimon views Khalaili as a central figure for the team's future, aiming to build a cohesive unit that can qualify for Euro 2028. Ben Shimon acknowledged that Khalaili is ready to lead but stressed the importance of team balance, drawing parallels to past Israeli stars who experienced a gap between club and national team performance. The upcoming match against Ireland, a physically strong team with Premier League and Championship players, presents another challenge for Khalaili, though his speed and ability to exploit space could be advantageous.

Khalaili's role in the national team differs from his club position. While at Crystal Palace and his previous club, St. Gallen, he often played as a wing-back in a three-defender system, allowing him to utilize his speed and attacking runs. In the Israeli setup, he is typically positioned as a winger in a 4-3-3 formation, a role where he has struggled to replicate his club success. His strengths lie in his explosive pace and ability to catch defenses off guard, as seen in his club performances where he has contributed goals and assists.

To maximize Khalaili's potential, the team may need to adjust tactics, potentially focusing attacks down the left flank with Manor Solomon and Oscar Gloukh to create space for Khalaili on the right. The article suggests that a three-defender system in the long term could provide Khalaili and fellow wing-back Roy Revivo more freedom to advance. Ultimately, for the national team to reach its potential, Khalaili needs to perform at his best, ideally in a role that mirrors his successful club positioning.