Everton boss David Moyes does not expect to see the best of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov for at least six months.
Boss granting winger time to get used to domestic football
Everton boss David Moyes does not expect to see the best of winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov for at least six months.
The Russian arrived at Goodison Park in a £9million deal from Lokomotiv Moscow and has made a significant contribution in their Europa League campaign so far this season.
The 24-year-old made three assists in the Toffees' 4-0 win over AEK Athens, while also setting up Tim Cahill's goal in their 2-1 win over BATE Borisov as Everton top Group I.
Moyes feels there is much more to come from the winger and, with injuries taking their toll, he admits Bilyaletdinov is likely to feature in the Premier League over the coming weeks.
"In truth, it could be six months or even next season before he's totally right," Moyes told the
Liverpool Echo.
"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 the pace a little bit."
While Bilyaletdinov has so far adapted well in Europe, the Premier League is a different matter.
But Moyes insists his signing will need time to adapt to the English game, as so many foreigners do.
He added: "The Russian boy at Chelsea (Yuri Zhirkov) will take time to settle and get used to it, and it will be no different for 'Bily'."
