Soccerbase Datafile

Despite his discipline problems, Li Tie is one of China national team coach Bora Milutinovic's most favoured players.  The defensive midfielder broke into the team four years ago and was impressive in China's qualification to their first ever World Cup finals.  The C-League's Most Valuable Player (MVP) for 2001 was linked to a number of top European clubs and the 2002 World Cup gave him a chance to shine.

The initial loan deal ties in with the Kejian sponsorship, yet Everton will only get £700k hard cash and the rest of the £300k will be used on paying the loan fee (£210k) and salary for the player.  Liaoning had stalled on the deal, insisting on the loan fee to be £250k.  Everton also wanted Li to report to the club before 18 July 2002. Liaoning finally gave in to Everton on the loan fee but in return managed to keep Li Tie for their last 2 fixtures.  

Everton got a very good deal compared to Man City, who also tapped into the China market but paid much more for signing Sun Jihai.  Spurs are also moving along the direction by looking at Qi Bo.

Li Li Tie (pronounced Lee T'ja) is a quality player with the potential to succeed in the Premier League.  Compared to our what we've got in the midfield position he's way better than Gemmill, Carsley and Pembridge.  His playing style is very much like Tobias Linderoth, in that he likes to patrol the midfield area and play an anchor role.  

They're not entirely similar though, as Tie has got a little bit more speed, a larger work area, and is more involved in the attacking play.  Linderoth, on the other hand, is a better defender, ball-winner, and at starting attacks when having won the ball.  Tie can also be a bit naive defensively, especially inside and around the penalty box.  What they both have in common is strong positional and tactical play.

His first season at Everton must go down as a success — and quite a surprise to the cynical element who expected him to be merely a commercial make-weight — but David Moyes felt he ran out of steam (just as the team itself lost focus and energy) in the tough run-in that proved to be Everton's undoing.  Realistically, he may never be quite good enough to hold a place down in a top-six midfield - and that is where Everton must aim. 

A permanent deal was finally agreed in August 2003 after months of negotiation, with Moyes playing hardball in a game of chicken as to who needed whom more.  Everton finally won out with a three-year deal that maybe involves as little as £600k going to the Chinese club, with a real estate company in Guangdong possibly involved.  There were rumours that deal was completely financed by outside parties, which would represent an even bigger coup for David Moyes.

But the new season started badly for Li Tie, sent off after just 12 mins from coming on as a sub at Arsenal and picking up two yellow cards for two silly challenges.   Then he hurt his foot and missed a few more games.... then he went back to China to train with the national squad... and fractured his shin in training!  Out for the rest of the dismal 2003-04 season.

Wishing to remain in the Premiership, Li Tie finally secured a contract with newcomers Sheffield United, and could well be seen a few more times at Goodison Park..

Last Updated by Michael Kenrick, July 2006