A failed medical in Italy, a frantic swoop by South London scouts, and a secret birthday that slipped right under the radar. Anan Khalaili’s start to life at Crystal Palace has been nothing short of cinematic.
Before lighting up the pitch in a five-goal derby thriller against Fulham, the 22-year-old Israeli international was moments away from joining Serie A giants Inter Milan. Instead, an irregular heart rhythm derailed that move, opening the door for Palace to snap up the right wing-back from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on August 15th capping a year-long pursuit by the Eagles.
Now fully settled and turning heads in the Premier League, Khalaili has opened up via Sport Witness about his dramatic near-miss with Italy, his hilarious quiet birthday, and why Pierre Sage’s squad possesses the exact ingredients for success.
The Inter Milan Near-Miss and the Secret Birthday
When Inter Milan walked away from a deal following routine medical checks, Palace swooped. Yet, as his agent Boaz Goren admitted just days after his arrival, the Eagles were originally second choice.
Fast forward a few weeks, and Khalaili looks every bit a first-choice Premier League operator, celebrating his 22nd birthday on September 3rd in the most understated way possible.
Speaking to Sport1 in Israel after the dramatic 3-2 win over Fulham, Khalaili revealed how his birthday came and went without a single teammate noticing.
“No one knew it was my birthday; I didn’t tell anyone. It’s so much fun to play and win an away game like this, a London derby. No one is happier than me,” he said.
Adapting to the Premier League Furnace
Khalaili managed his first full 90 minutes in English football during the victory at Craven Cottage, and the step up from Belgian football left an immediate, exhausting impression.
“In Belgium, I’d easily play 90 minutes; today I was exhausted. It’s very hard, tough, but we deserved to win,” Khalaili admitted.
Despite the physical toll, the wing-back played a vital role in a chaotic match where Tyrick Mitchell bagged a sensational brace and substitute Ben Chilwell hammered home a late winner just three minutes after coming on. Addressing the frantic finale and his own part in the build-up, Khalaili was quick to deflect the praise onto his teammates.
“No, there wasn’t [a foul in the build-up to Chilwell’s goal]. I was involved in the play, but I didn’t set it up,” he explained. “A goal by them is like a goal by me. I don’t care who scores; what matters is that we win. Soon I’ll score too, God willing.”
Praise for Pierre Sage
The summer signing also heaped praise on manager Pierre Sage, crediting the new boss for creating a positive environment as the squad continues to integrate a wave of fresh faces.
“He’s a good coach, an excellent coach. I give my all in every practice and will continue to do so, and with God’s help, we’ll all keep winning games and things will be good,” he added.
Match Snapshot: Fulham 2-3 Crystal Palace
- Date: September 2026
- Venue: Craven Cottage
- Goals: Tyrick Mitchell (2), Ben Chilwell (Palace); Fulham scorers unrecorded in match flow.
- Key Moment: Ben Chilwell steps off the bench in the 74th minute to slam home a debut winner just three minutes later, securing Pierre Sage’s first win at the helm.
From a collapsed move in Milan to covering every blade of grass in a London derby, Anan Khalaili embodies the grit defining this new era of Palace football. If his relentless engine and team-first attitude are anything to go by, South London supporters have found a brand-new fan favorite who will only get sharper once he unlocks his first goal in red and blue.
