Source: Daily_Mail
Diniyar's 'hero' Kanchelskis predicts tough time for new Everton star
Andrei Kanchelskis has told Diniyar Bilyaletdinov to expect a culture shock when he arrives at Everton.
David Moyes's £10million signing from Lokomotiv Moscow can't wait to follow in the footsteps of 'Russian hero' Kanchelskis, but his idol has delivered a stark wake-up call on the tough time that awaits him in Merseyside.
'Frankly, I expect Diniyar to have some difficulties at Everton,' said Kanchelskis. 'English clubs play a completely different football to what he is accustomed to in Russia, so Bilyaletdinov must quickly adapt to his new life.
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov
New life: Diniyar Bilyaletdinov
'His club are constantly progressing and are a stong team, playing a quick game, so at first the pressure on Diniyar will be enormous. And in general, life is very different in England.'
But Kanchelskis, who enjoyed 18 months at Everton after signing from Manchester United in 1995, says the 24-year-old Russia left winger can take comfort in the fantastic Goodison Park support.
'The fans in England are very loyal,' he said. 'This is particularly true of Everton supporters. They believe in their players until the end, supporting them in every way.'
Former Chelsea keeper Dmitri Kharine agrees that it may be some time before Bilyaletdinov settles in.
Andrei Kanchelskis
Russian idol: Andrei Kanchelskis
The former Lokomotiv captain burst on to the scene in Russia by helping his team to the League title in 2004 and being named young player of the year in the process.
But many back home feel he has stagnated after a year of patchy form and injury problems that have led to him falling down the pecking order in Guus Hiddink's national team.
Kharine said: 'Everton have a straightforward style, but Bilyaletdinov cannot simply be thrown in and be instantly accustomed to English football.
'If he is given the chance to be introduced gradually, it will be far easier. If Diniyar is asked to play straight out of the traps, he will have a very difficult time. The English league gives nobody an easy ride.'
Dmitri Kharine
Chelski: former Blues keeper Dmitri Kharine has warned Bilyaletdinov
Bilyaletdinov is emulating his father Rinat, who played for Lokomotiv before trying his hand abroad in the Czech Republic.
Bilyaletdinov Snr believes that experience of living in a foreign land, as well as having a good grasp of English will help his son settle in.
'I think he will be able to adapt,' he said. 'Especially with his command of English, which is a credit to his mum. Therefore, it will be easier. Much more difficult, I think, is when it comes to football.'
Bilyaletdinov Snr brought his son up to believe English football was the gold standard, but admits he does not know too much about Everton.
'I know that they are from Liverpool and I know about the derby match,' he said. 'And the fact that (Wayne) Rooney came from them is the best description I can give.
'Just as the NHL is to ice hockey or the NBA to basketball, the English Premier League sets the standard for football.
'There was a time we shared a liking of Arsenal - the time of (Thierry) Henry, (Tomas) Rosicky, (Cesc) Fabregas, (Alexander) Hleb.
'Then something changed and they stopped playing so freely. Then we admired Chelsea, particularly when (Guus) Hiddink was in charge.
'There have been good times at Liverpool and Manchester United but there was never a time I supported these teams. Now, I'll probably have to support just one team.'
