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Guus Hiddink Helped Everton Sign Bilyaletdinov - David
Moyes
The former Chelsea gaffer tipped off the Toffees
about the winger's potential...
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Guus The Man In Charge - Hiddink on his Chelsea
bow, a win over Champions League rivals, Aston Villa / Photo goal.com
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Everton manager David Moyes has revealed that he had some
expert help when it came to assessing whether Russian international midfielder
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov would prove to be a valuable signing, with Guus
Hiddink, the coach of the Russian national team who spent the latter part
of last season as coach of Chelsea, giving the Scotsman some pointers
as to the player's talents.
"I spoke to Guus Hiddink a few times about 'Dini' and he recommended
him to me," explained the Everton boss to his club's official website.
"He is a very versatile footballer. He can play wide on the left of midfield,
but he has also played on the right quite a bit as well. Technically he
is very good.
"He has a nice left foot and he has scored a few goals as well. Guus
told me that even at a push he could play left-back!
"I spoke to Guus before he got to Chelsea about two other Russian
players we were interested in. But Billy was a player we were interested
in during the last transfer window.
"I spoke to Guus again, maybe four weeks ago, and again he spoke
positively."
However, Moyes didn't just rely on Hiddink's testimony when it came to
assessing the player, he also put in some pretty thorough research of
his own, and he feels that the player's fitness is a particular positive
note at this time of the season.
"We have been out to Russia quite a few times to watch him,"
he added.
"With this being the middle of their season, fitness shouldn't be
an issue. What we have to appreciate, however, is that this is a completely
different environment for him.
"I thought he looked really excited at the weekend when he came on
against Wigan, but also a little overawed and apprehensive. We need to
give him every opportunity to settle in. One very good thing is that he
already speaks very good English.
"He knows all about the players here already. He did his own homework
on the club and didn't need me to sell it to him. He's a football type
of person as well."
Zack Wilson
Goal.com,
Sep 4, 2009
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