Moyes On Bilyaletdinov

Blues boss on Russian winger as he prepares to depart.

David Moyes paid tribute to Diniyar Bilyaletdinov’s professionalism as the Russian nears a Goodison Park exit.

The 26-year-old is back in his home city for a medical after the Blues agreed an undisclosed fee with Spartak Moscow.

The completion of a move to the Luzhniki Stadium would bring Bilyaletdinov’s two-and-a-half year stay at Goodison Road to an end.

In that time he made 77 appearances for the Club – 48 starts and 29 as a substitute – and scored nine goals.

While admitting the Russian international perhaps failed to hit the heights hoped, Moyes praised his attitude and work ethic.

The Everton manager said: “He was a great boy to work with, a really good professional.

“When he played he was totally committed and he did everything he could to succeed. We wish him well. It just didn't quite work and obviously we've decided to sell.

“It happens,” he added. “You could probably ask every manager in the Premier League about players and I can think of some clubs you could ask about a lot of players but, yes, Bily's been in here and not quite reached what we wanted. But I couldn't fault anything that he did – he is a good lad.

“He's a modern Russian boy, spoke English. He got on great with the players, adapted to everything, didn't whinge about anything. He got on with everything, didn't want to go back to Russia regularly. I think he’s hardly had a trip back at all while he's been here. He never asked for extra time to go back or for time off.

“He was really keen to be a success here so from that point of view I have no problem with him at all.”

As for players coming in at Goodison Park, Moyes revealed that he had identified targets and made a few enquiries.

And with just under a week to go before the closure of the transfer window, he added: “We're enquiring about a few, we're asking around a little bit to see what we could maybe get, but at this moment in time we've got nothing to report.”

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