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Everton's Diniyar Bilyaletdinov looking forward to return
of pass masters
by Greg O'Keeffe
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Photo Liverpool Echo
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DINIYAR Bilyaletdinov is hoping Everton can pass their way
to success over the Christmas period.
The Russian international winger believes he is adapting to the physical
side of the Premier League after his summer transfer from Lokomotiv Moscow,
but he dislikes the long ball approach of some English teams.
Bilyaletdinov is hoping that the return of injured players like Mikel
Arteta and Leon Osman, along with the continuing fitness of Steve Pienaar,
will help the blues play more fast-flowing football.
He said: "I like passing football.
"I don't like it when the game is like ping pong.
"It's boring to watch and boring to play in.
"I know many teams play like that, and it's about hard work but it's
not good to see.
"I hear about players like Arteta and I've seen him play. I have
also played with Leon Osman before his injury.
"I am excited about playing with them, but I'm excited to be playing
alongside all my team-mates.
"I enjoy every second on the pitch in the Premier League.
"It's very physical but it's more about thinking of the second and
instant decision-making."
Bilyaletdinov was speaking during the Everton players' annual visit to
Alder Hey childrens' hospital.
Along with the rest of the first team squad and manager, he visited various
wards to chat with the young patients and hand out Christmas gifts.
He said: "In Russia we do the same thing three or four times a year,
and it's very sad when you see the kids who have cancer.
"I remember before I came to England when Chelsea and AC Milan played
in the Russian Railways cup, the teams came to the main hospital and took
presents and brought a smile for the kids. I've not seen so many happy
kids in my life when they visited.
"I have not got any children, but I have a younger brother so I know
how to make small kids laugh and be happy."
Meanwhile, Leon Osman returned to full training yesterday after recovering
from a foot injury sustained in October.
He said: "I had my first training session and it went pretty well.
I've still got quite a bit of work to do, but progress has started. I'm
targeting each day as it comes at the minute, and we'll go from there."
Liverpool
Echo, Dec 16 2009
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