He's a Tough Cookie Now

Russian Boss Guus Hiddink is delighted with Billy's move to the Blues as he believes it has toughened him up as a player. Billy was Russia's two goal hero in Saturdays Worlds Cup play off against Slovenia, and if the Ruskies avoid defeat in Slovenia on Wednesday, Billy will be another Blue heading to next years World Cup Finals.

Guus Hiddink says: "The matches of the English Premier League hardened him in battles. Bill is a really stylish player. And to tell the truth after a recent game against Azerbaijan I had no doubts that he would appear in the starting eleven. His work at training only proved my decision was right. People are growing up. And Bilyaletdinov is becoming a real man. To my mind people in Russia underestimated him till now.

Usually left-footed players have problems with their right leg. But Diniyar scored both goals with his right one. I would not call him a two-footed footballer but he proved that he could do wonderful things with the right leg as well." (17/11/09)

He Had To Go

A very eventful game for Billy against Villa. He scored and then sent off for a foul on the very annoying Petrov. I hope it really hurt. David Moyes agreed that he had to go.

Moyesy says:"I have seen challenges like that given a red so I have to accept it.There is a possibility it was a red. It would have been nice if challenges on Phil Neville and Steven Pienaar were picked up in the same way though. I thought it was harsh on Aston Villa even though the boy had two or three fouls after his first booking but I think the ref reacted after the Billy challenge," (01/11/09)

Opens Account

Billy opened his Everton account yesterday with a late leveller against Wolves. He looks to be a player and can play in a number of different posistions. He was all over the place against Wolves. Moyesy still doesn't which is the best for him.

Moyesy says: "I'm still finding where his best position is going to be. I've seen him play behind the striker, I've seen him play off the right and off the left. I think the thing is to try and get him into the pace of the game. I thought many of the chances we made were coming through him. I think he put Yak through down the side for a good chance, I thought we had moments where any chance we had, he was creating them." (18/10/09)

Christ I'm Excited

Moyesy has stated that we have not seen anything like the potential Billy has to offer, and we may not even see the best of him for another twelve months. With a hatful of assists of late, plus that thunderbolt of a shot in Bate that hit the woodwork, Billy is exciting the faithful. In twelve months time, there is a chance I could actually explode with excitement, if he is as good as what the man with red hair says. Bring it on, world domination here we come.

Moyesy says: "In truth, it could be six months or even next season before he’s totally right. But the situation we’ve got at Everton means we’ve got to play him. From that point of view maybe it will help him in the end. I think the games that are coming up he will be more than likely put in, and he’ll have to pick up the pace a little bit.

Yuri Zhirkov at Chelsea will take a time to settle and get used to it, and it will be no different for Bily. He’s showed some flashes of good play and some deft touches at times, but it’s the strength and the pace he’ll need to get used to." (06/10/09)

Top Of Europa League Assists

Billy has done well in the Europa league after laying on another goal in Belerus last night. He is currently top of UEFA Europa League assists. Click here (02/09/09)

Plenty Of Time To Play

Although new signings, Sylvain Dist1n and Jonny Heitanga have been brought straight into the 1st team squad, Billy has yet to start in the Premier League, but has played in both Carling Cup and Europa Cup games. Moyesy says he will introduce Diniyar to the Premier League slowly. It's likely the Russian winger will play in Belerus.

Moyesy says: “I will be looking for the right opportunities and moments to use him. I want to bring him on and I want to get him into the side because we need him. He has already made a contribution in the games that he has played and that makes me feel that he is going to really help the team. His ability to deliver a ball could be a very valuable asset, as it is something we have lacked. Mikel (Arteta) had the ability to do that and we have missed that quality since he’s been out injured.”

He has definitely got something about him and we have been really pleased with him – we just need to be careful with the speed of the game. Diniyar is probably finding how we work over here just that little bit quicker to what he is used to, even if the style of the game in Russia is similar to the Premier League. But he has had to get used to a new environment and get settled in; having said that, he’s done well in the two games he has started in the Europa League and the Carling Cup. The games are obviously a bit more fast and furious in the Premier League, certainly more so than the Europa League, but I think he is looking okay.

Billy says: "I have been told from a young age that if you work hard you will always achieve your ambitions. It was always my ambition to play in England and I’m looking forward to help this team win some prizes.” (29/09/09)

Warm Welcome

The Russian international with the name even John Motson will have problems with has been christened 'Billy' by Tim Cahill, who as usual gave him a warm welcome to Everton. Billy has won the Russian league and cup with Lokomotiv Moscow for whom he played 150 games scoring 31 goals. Not bad for a 24 year old. He also has 28 Russian caps scoring 2 goals. He signed for an undisclosed fee, which everyone has had a guess of what it may be. They range from £5m to £10m. Who cares?

Tim says: "I'm looking forward to welcoming anyone. We've got a very small squad but the best thing about a squad like Everton is we're a small group of players who respect each other a hell of a lot and work for each other. We're looking forward to Billy coming in and feeling what it's like to pull on the Everton jersey, to work hard for the team and produce what he produces for his country and his old club.

Andri Kanchelskis says: "He'll find it different from Russia but I think he'll enjoy it here and he'll be welcomed with open arms. Frankly, I expect Diniyar to have some difficulties at Everton. English clubs play a completely different football to what he is accustomed to in Russia, so Bilyaletdinov must quickly adapt to his new life.

His club are constantly progressing and are a strong team, playing a quick game, so at first the pressure on Diniyar will be enormous. And in general, life is very different in England. The fans in England are very loyal. 'This is particularly true of Everton supporters. They believe in their players until the end, supporting them in every way.' (28/08/09)