Moyes impressed by Villas-Boas

15 October 2011 10:05

Everton boss David Moyes has been impressed by Andre Villas-Boas and can see the Portuguese coach having a lengthy stint in charge of Chelsea.

Villas-Boas was appointed as Blues manager this summer after guiding Porto to three major trophies last season, and the London outfit have been defeated only once in 10 games in all competitions so far this term, taking 16 points from their opening seven Barclays Premier League fixtures.

Asked if he thought Villas-Boas had adapted well to the English top-flight, Moyes said: "I do. He is a student of the game. He got the job at Porto and made it look easy, but that is because he has worked very hard."

He added: "It is a big thing that we are all trying to get more young players in, and I think it is going to be the same with young managers. I think clubs are now looking for stability - like I hope we have had at Everton - and they want managers who can go the course and have longevity.

"I think the Chelsea manager certainly could do that, because he is only about half my age! He is doing great."

Moyes, whose team travel to Chelsea for Saturday's early-evening kick-off, believes the Blues are a better side under Villas-Boas than in the previous campaign.

"From what I've seen Chelsea are a better team this year than they were last year," Moyes said. "I think a lot of people have written Chelsea off a bit - all the focus at the moment is on Manchester United and Manchester City, but I see a fresher-looking, younger team coming up at Chelsea.

"From the bits of them I have seen, I think there is an improvement and that they will go close to the Premier League (title) at the end of the season."

Everton have a good record of late at Stamford Bridge, coming away with a point from each of their last five league visits - something Moyes feels will boost his side for the contest.

"I think you go into it with that positive attitude, thinking we have been here before and done it and that we don't feel out of place in these games," Moyes said. "But you have to remember that the games have usually been incredibly tight, and it is not as if we have ever run away with it."

Source: PA