One of the most significant trends in Israeli football this season is a policy change in the goalkeeper position.
Clubs, including some of the most senior ones, have given a chance to young goalkeepers or those who were considered replacements until now, and most of them do not disappoint at all.
One of the best examples of this is Guy Herman from Hapoel Hadera.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper came on as a substitute at halftime against Hapoel Haifa in the first round and has since kept his place in the lineup at the expense of Ohad Levita, and some would say he is one of the best goalkeepers in the league.
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The meeting tonight (Sunday, 19:30) against Maccabi Tel Aviv in round 8 of the State Cup may be a small closing of the circle for the talented goalkeeper.
The weak period of the yellows started in the last league meeting against Hapoel Hadera which ended in 1:1, much thanks to Herman's excellent ability to frustrate the attacking players of the strong opponent.
Herman's arrival at the position of first goalkeeper in the Premier League was not easy.
The goalkeeper grew up in the youth department of Maccabi Haifa, and even served as the goalkeeper of the youth team of the Greens, but in Carmel they did not predict a promising future for him and wanted to loan him.
Herman's agent, Moshe Goldenberg, demanded that the Greens give up his ticket for a low amount, believing that if the player did not belong to Maccabi Haifa, he would be able to advance in his career without obstacles and limitations.
"I spoke to the hearts of the people of Haifa to let him move forward and I'm glad it worked," says Goldenberg.
After parting with Carmel, Herman had a hard time finding a team that would believe in him, and then came the offer from Or Yehuda City of League A.
The actor came to the meeting accompanied by his father and Goldenberg.
Or Yehuda's coach, Yaakov Tal, said to the goalkeeper at the time: "I believe in you and am ready to let you be our first goalkeeper, but our salary offer is only NIS 1,000 a month."
Levita fan, photo: Alan Shiver
Herman, and especially his father, were shocked and outraged at the low offer.
"The cost of Guy's gloves is 1,200 shekels and the cost of travel is 2,800 shekels, so how can we accept this offer," they said firmly.
That meeting, which in retrospect will be considered significant for the goalkeeper's career, lasted about three hours.
During this Goldenberg asked Jacob Tal to leave the room and be alone with Herman and his father.
"If you believe in me and believe in yourselves, then this season should be done the way we have and we will laugh about this moment."
The Herman family was convinced, and after an excellent season in League A, an offer was received from Po'al Adumim Ashdod, which was promoted to the National League in the summer of 2021. In the new team, his salary had already risen to NIS 8,500 per month, but in the new team, his status was unclear and he oscillated between the first and second goalkeeper vests.
Eran Zehavi.
Will Herman stop him too?, Photo: Alan Shiver
After one season in Ashdod, Herman decided to advance to the Premier League and received an offer to serve as an assistant goalkeeper in Hapoel Hadera.
Last season he did not receive extensive credit, but this season as mentioned he got the opportunity and took it with both hands while leaving the old Levita fan on the bench.
Hadera says that in recent months he is one of the team's most important and outstanding players.
This success is also reflected financially.
In the summer, the market value of the young player was 100 thousand euros, and within a few months it doubled.
For comparison, the value of Niv Eliasi from Hapoel Beer Sheva is estimated at 125 thousand euros.
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"I always believed in Guy, so I insisted that the card belong to him," explains Goldenberg.
"Guy is in a good hotbed like Hapoel Hadera and is getting an opportunity and is taking it successfully. Israeli football needs to continue the trend and give opportunities to young players. If he continues to work hard then offers from abroad will come this summer."
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