Thanks To The Fans

Li Tie has thanked the fans for their support during his stay at Everton. He has joined Premiership new boys, Sheffield United.

Li says: "Every one has to move on, but I still want to thank everyone at Everton. The manager, all my team mates and fans, they gave me big support as much as they could. I am so happy to have been a Blue and I enjoyed every minute at Everton, I am looking forward to going back to Goodison again." (07/07/06)

This Could Be The End

You have got to feel sorry for Li. He has plenty of talent, but has had horrendous injury problems during his time at Everton. It looks like the latest problem will finish his career at Everton.

Li says: "This is a long time problem from my right foot. I have not been feeling comfortable with my right ankle since I was fully back from the last injury. I went to the hospital and the doctor said the best thing is to have the operation as soon as possible. The club arranged the operation for me on Monday. The operation only lasted about one hour but I hope that will make the big different when I can go back to the pitch.

It was hard for me to make a decision like this, because as everyone knows I am going to be out of my contract with Everton at the end of this season. To be honest, having the operation right now isn't the best time, but I know that it will be beneficial for my future in the long term, so finally I went to do that. (23/03/06)

Another Injury

Having only played a 15 minutes for the reserves on Monday before coming off injured, Li Tie has an anxious wait to see how long he will be out. The injury is worse than expected and it couldn't have come at a worse time with Li wanting to impress to get an new contract, which is up in the Summer.

Mick 'Basil' Rathbone says: "He has jarred his ankle quite badly and we are currently assessing him." (25/01/06)

Backing From National Manager

The National Chinese manager is happy for Li to stay at Everton, even if he is only playing in the reserves.

Zhu Guang Hu says: "Definitely Everton is a good choice for him. I am happy when my players have the chance to play football in another country, particularly in the Premier League. This is the different style that they could learn a lot from, I believe that will benefit the players when they go back to China, and also benefit the country. I have not spoken frequently to Li Tie about the situation at Everton but we have had a lot of conversations about his injury and his situation. I know Li Tie very well; it’s almost 15 years.

I know he is frustrated about his situation, I can totally understand that feeling, but as the footballer the most important thing is to play the match. I know Li Tie is anxious about it. I have picked him five times for international games this season and I think that has benefited him. I’ve watched Li Tie play very carefully. I think he is doing welll and is improving day by day. The only problem he’s got is that he lost match experience. So to get back his position is the only thing could help him through this tough period. Li Tie told me before I came that he was only playing in the reserve games at the moment but I still wanted to come. We haven’t got such a the league in China and I think it is the best way for players who can’t play in the first team or who are just recovering from injury. It’s very useful for them to test themselves, I know Li Tie had never had such as experience when he was in China.

But now he is playing for Everton Football Club he has to accept everything and follow the rules here. He is doing well. Regarding his performance this week, I think that it was not so bad. I think his technique was okay and is passing the ball fine but he still need to play more games, that will help him to get more confidence and also help him gain strength." (14/01/06)

Three Managers

Li had 3 managers watching him at this week's reserve game. The game with Bolton ended in a 1-1 draw. Rezzie manager, Andy Holden, First team manager, David Moyes and Chinese National boss, Zhu Guang Hu all watched Li play.

Li Tie says: "Mr Zhu had a conversation with me before the match because he wanted to know about my situation.I do appreciate his trust in me and he has given me such tremendous opportunities to improve myself. My goal for 2006 is to find my way back into the team. Meanwhile I hope my name is still in the list of Chinese national team players because this is the biggest honour for all footballers.

I knew David Moyes would be there just as he usually is, although I did feel a little different because my Chinese national team boss was there. That is the first time he has seen me play in the reserve game and to have three managers there to watch does not happen very often. As a professional footballer you have to have the ability to concentrate on the match whatever is happening off the pitch so I just put everything out of my mind and then gave 100 percent to play the match.

I think that may have been the best performance I have produced in the last couple of months. I am sharper than before with my tackle and I am passing the ball okay. I just wasn't happy with the goal we conceded. I was trying to clear the ball with my head but I failed. I think that goal was my fault that really made me upset." (13/01/06)

Long Way To Go

On the plus side, Everton's Chinese midfielder player Li Tie is playing regularly football again for his country. Moyesy however believes that the 28yr old midfielder still has a lot of football ahead of him before he can be considered for a return to first team action. Li is looking at his recent run of injury bad luck, and considers it his biggest challenge of his career.

Moyesy says: "He is much fitter now but I still feel he is lacking the sharpness necessary. He’s played games for the reserves but it has been tough for the player. That injury was a bad one and it has been a really hard time for the boy.

Li says: "As a footballer the whole thing is about playing the match. I am still waiting for my chance to come at Everton - I know I have to be patient. As my manager says I still need more competitive matches to get my fitness. For that reason I think the national match is really important for me, that will be benefit me at club level. The time has been really tough for me since I was injured, but I never gave up. It was the biggest challenge of my career and I am going to fight for it. I feel there are still plenty of opportunities for me. I want to take them all, but it relies on what I am going to do, I will give every thing I can to get my best performance back." (14/11/05)

International Boost

Li Tie missed last night's reserve game and travelled to met up with his Chinese team mates for the two Internationals. The first against Serbia and Montenegro takes place on Sunday 13th November in Nanjing, China, and then against Bulgaria three days later in Changsha, China. This will be good for Li, as he continues to battle away in his quest for full fitness. (08/11/05)

On Your Marks

One player Moyesy does not mind being away on International duty this week, is Li Tie. Li is away in Germany, and looks like being selected for China's friendly with Germany. Li was injured back in January 2004, and Moyesy has told the Chinese International that his first team chance could come at any time. The way the boys are performing Li, I would polish your boots up, it could be sooner rather than later.

Li says: "The manager told me I still need a little bit more practice. He doesn’t want me to lose my confidence and he also said my chance may come any time. I am happy he said so. I know I have to be patient, but I also believe my opportunity will finally come.

Of course the reserve games are important to me. But I want to be back playing for the first team because I am now totally fit. You have to realistic. I need more games to boost my overall fitness and skill, particularly making sure my touch returns 100 per cent. I know what I have to do. I am just desperate to have a chance to play; as that is the only way I can improve myself. When you are in this situation you must be positive and get yourself ready all the time, because you never know when an opportunity will come around.

I am definitely looking forward to being back with China. I was delighted to be called by the manager of national team. Playing for your country means a lot to me, not only the element of being proud but also for the fact your ability is recognised. I hope I am named in the team to play Germany. If I was, I think I would get a lot a confidence from the match. That is a good test for my fitness and would only help when I go back to Everton." (06/10/05)

Happy With First Game

Li Tie was happy with his first full 90 minutes for yonks on Sunday.

Tie says: "I was happy with my performance in the first half and during half-time the manager walked up to me and asked if was okay to play more. I told him that I definitely was. I've finally finished my first match. I am so happy. It has been really tough for me over the last 17 months. I think I'm now starting to get there. The match was my first match after getting injured in February 2004 and it is a special match for me. I know there's still a long way to go, but this match was just the very first step on the road." (13/07/05)

Anyone for Tennis?

Li Tie, Everton's forgotten man is back in full training with the first team squad in Austria. Tie has been out with a shin injury since January 2003. The Chinese international has played lots of head tennis in his bid for fitness.

Alan Irvine says: "It has been a long time for him and it must have been very hard for him but he has done very well. He has fitted back in with the lads, completed every session. Sometimes he is in a bit of discomfort when he starts each session while he just gets his ankle moving but he is going very well and he is playing well. Technically he has been good. He has been playing a lot of head tennis whilst he has been out and that has probably made him even better than he was before. You do lose your touch when you are out for so long injured but the good thing is that there is a bit of a culture of head tennis at the club. They do a lot of it in the rehab programmes and that gets the touch back again fairly quickly because you have to react and have a good touch." (09/07/05)

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