Ben Haim in Grant blast

Chelsea defender unhappy at being a reserve

Last updated: 16th April 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ben Haim in Grant blast

Ben Haim: Critical of Grant

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Tal Ben Haim says he knew 'nothing good' would happen at Chelsea after Avram Grant was appointed as manager.

Grant replaced Jose Mourinho as boss in September and has seen his tenure come in for fierce criticism in recent weeks.

Chelsea lost to Tottenham in the Carling Cup final, were dumped out of the FA Cup by Barnsley and face an uphill battle to overhaul Manchester United in the Premier League title race.

Reports have previously claimed that Grant is at odds with some members of his squad and Ben Haim is critical of his fellow Israeli's decision to leave him on the periphery.

Ben Haim has not made a first-team appearance for two months and has started just 10 League matches since joining from Bolton Wanderers last summer.

The defender admits that he would not have chosen to move to Stamford Bridge, if he had he known Mourinho would be replaced by Grant.

Not a reserve

"Jose Mourinho is the reason I came to Chelsea and if I knew Avram Grant was going to be the coach then I would have signed for another club," Ben Haim told The Sun.

"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 that nothing good would come with Grant as Chelsea coach."

Comments (11)

  • Page 1 of 1
  • 1

Daniel Loosemore says...

This criticism is laughable. Ben Haim has no where near the quality required to be playing consistently in a top four team.

Posted 12:56 16th April 2008

Ros Mcqueen says...

Reading some of the comments, presumably from Chelsea fans, you clearly haven't seen the best of Ben Haim because he hasn't been playing regularly for you. The fact the Special One singled him out last season as the player he needed to plug holes in your defence should speak volumes for the type of player he is. At Bolton, I had the pleasure of watching him week in week out and he is by far and away the best defender I have seen in a white shirt. He reads the game very intelligently, is extremely strong for such a small player in today's game and was always in the right place at the right time. I'm also guessing that the Man U fan who said Rooney rang rings around him must be one of the London Reds who's never been to Old Trafford or a live game - Rooney never got a sniff of the ball when Ben Haim played against him for Bolton or for Israel against England. Unfortunately, Grant and Haim fell out a long time ago and as a result he has not been playing, but if you let him go at the end of the season, you will be losing a class player who will undoubtedly go to a big club and be a tremendous success. You only need to look at what happened to Bolton's defence this season after he left to understand what a tremendous defender he undoubtedly is.

Posted 12:43 16th April 2008

Thomas Greig says...

He should have known he was a support player when he joined, but I agree we would have been better with Hugh Grant at least he could have played the part better and we could have won an Oscar for Mr Abramovich. Avran Grant's team selection is mind bogling most of the time and his subs are a mystery also the players have all become individual the team work has gone. Wenger has a degree in psychology, Fergie has a degree in being Scottish and Rafa Benitez has a degree in scouse. But Avran Grant has a degree in how to destroy a successful football team. Proudly British

Posted 12:38 16th April 2008

David Waller says...

Ben Haim was a free transfer! what does he expect! He is well behind Terry, Carvalho and Alex. As for Avram I think he has done OK, it was always going to be difficult when Mourihno left for any manage to do well with Chelsea but Grant has kept them battling when it could of really fell apart, Although he made a big mistake against Wigan by resting Didier Drogba, but great for us United fans!

Posted 11:55 16th April 2008

Kristian Wilson says...

I can't see why he moved to Chelsea to be honest. he should have known that he was going to be either rotated or a bit part player. They have bags of quality all over the park that's easy for anyone to see! while he was probably too good for us (Bolton) i think he made the wrong choice and should have gone somewhere like Pompey or Everton where he would have been around decent players and still would have played more games than not. Chelsea unlucky other night by the way - i know how it feels as we keep hitting the woodwork lately and having goals ruled out!! Last year we were heading for champions league, think we're resigned to the Championship this year. it's a funny old game eh?!

Posted 09:33 16th April 2008

Jon Stephen says...

Ben Haim..is obviously frustrated with his lack of first team oppurtunities and so hes trying to point the finger....however i think he has guts to speak out ....what Chelski fans need to remember is that Abramavich bought Chelsea as a 'toy' and everyone knows little boys dont like shareing their toys!! He is always going to be the one who has the last say...and if Chelski end up trophyless for a couple of seasons he will jus chuck his 'toy' away...after all hes got lots more ie Yachts etc.. Chelski could then become another Leeds FC!!!

Posted 09:32 16th April 2008

Darren Sawyers says...

Big heart to speak such words, but the real reason he is not playing is because he is way behind Terry, Carvalho & even Alex if he had the speed & courage to get forward a score a goal which he never did at bolton maybe he would be considered & ive watched him get torn apart too many times by rooney & co to believe he belongs in a top club he has over acheived being signed by chelsea in the first place. As a man utd fan I think Avram grant has done a superb job getting chelsea where they are with the problems they've had all season & Ben Haim wouldnt have made any difference to the points they have dropped & Avram cant be blamed for half a squad who play half heartedly for him because Mourinho is no longer at the club. If Ben Haim is threatening to leave he will not be wanted by any of the top 4 maybe not even by mid table teams

Posted 09:30 16th April 2008

Martin Clifford says...

At last a player with the guts to speak his mind having said that its from a player who is on his bike at the end of the season. But he is only voicing the opinions of most fans and if the board were honest to themselves instead of toadying to the owner they would come out in support, but who's going to cut their own throat? Avram Grant was probably capable at the level he came from but is totally out of his depth at Chelsea. Unfortunately it maybe sometime before the owner comes to his senses, if he's in contact with Jose show some humility, pick up the phone and ask him back only this time give him power over all footballing matters. I fear sometime in the wilderness is approaching and our rivals rubbing their hands with glee.

Posted 08:39 16th April 2008

Adam Hawkins says...

To be honest I don't think Grant should be our coach either, but the reason Ben Haim isn't playing is becuse he isn't good enough, as his performances have proven.

Posted 08:36 16th April 2008

Scott Gibson says...

Thats hilarious. Did he honestly expect that as a free transfer he would be anything other than a spare? For such an intelligent defender thats pretty disappointing. Surely he should have realized that at Chelsea its not how good you are but how much you cost that decides the pecking order.

Posted 08:29 16th April 2008

Bernard Marks says...

Sour grapes from a mediocre football player, Instead of whining he should up the quality of his game and prove he is a worthy defender. His career talks for itself - a flash in the pan player without tremendous ability. Who else would pay him the salary he is earning for doing nothing.........

Posted 08:26 16th April 2008
  • Page 1 of 1
  • 1

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private