Nuno's Return

Moyesy is confident that Nuno will get a run out before the season is out. The Portuguese full back is running now, and the injury will not hamper his World Cup prospects.

Moyesy says: "Nuno is doing some running now. We will have to see how everybody goes this weekend and see what happens in the last two or three games." (13/04/06)

Nuno Out For Season

It looks like Nuno Valente's Everton season has come to a premature end with news that his thigh strain is worse than expected. The injury according to Moyesy will keep the £1.4m signing from Porto out of the Everton line up, but it should not affect his World Cup plans. Bad news for Nuno, good news for Nace.

Moyesy says: "Nuno has a thigh strain which looks like keeping him out for another four weeks, maybe even more. It could well be that he misses the rest of the season and that would be a shame. It's not a strain like the one Andy van der Meyde had but it's enough to keep him out for up to six weeks. (30/03/06)

Roll on Germany

Everton's left back is chomping at the bit to represent his country at this years World Cup. The defender who made his International debut at the age of 27 is yet to taste the biggest Tournament in the World, but after Euro 2004 his appetite has been whetted.

Nuno says: "I was 27 when I made my debut for Portugal. All players have ambition to play for their countries, and it was the same for me. I knew that if I got in I would have a good chance of playing in a big competition like in 2004. I played in the tournament which was amazing. I was very proud to represent Portugal in my own country and words can't describe how it felt. Now the players feel that they want to bring some happiness to the Portuguese people. Things went well for me two years ago and I now hope to play in the World Cup in 2006.

During the time when Porto won the two cups and the European Championships were held in Portugal, the dimension of Portuguese players went up. People began to see the players in a different way, an this was reflected in the market as well. The World Cup group is a very good one (with Angola, Mexico and Iran). We don't have any top teams in our group. But it will not be easy because everyone wants to go through. We hope that we can make a good start and hopefully qualify after the first two games. I hope we can go far enough but I know it will be difficult. There are a lot of Portuguese in Germany so hopefully they will come and support us, and we will try and give them some happiness." (16/03/06)

FA Cup Fever

Nuno has been chatting with his Portuguese mates from Chelsea recently, but hopes Ferreira, Carvalho, Maniche and Mourinho will all be on the losing side on Saturday.

Nuno says: "I've spoken on the phone to Paolo, Ricardo and Maniche. Maniche was saying he was very happy to be playing in the Premiership and he is happy at the moment. It was friendly conversation but it won't be on Saturday!

I am looking forward to seeing Mourinho again but I hope that he goes home unhappy too! He is a special person to me but the most important thing is that Everton get through to the next round. I have spoken to him recently. It wasn't about the game, it was just a general chat. We spoke about football in general, our families, other different things. The type of things you would do. He was a big influence on my career. I was lucky to get him as my manager when I played in Leira, then I was given a second chance by him at Porto. It was special to play for such a big team. I know the answers to what he wants from players on the pitch. When you do your best for him, he lets you know. He is a manager who players respond to.

I'm feeling much better. I've been here nearly five months now and feel I've adapted to the pace of the game. It has been difficult because it has been different. The pace of football is so much quicker than in Europe. But I am happy now that I am back in the side and want to continue helping Everton on towards better things. I feel I have finally adapted and want to play better and better every time I am selected. It's a very important game but we are looking forward to it because we are coming into good form. We have done well in the last couple of games. We've looked sharp and played some good football. I think two good teams will face each other.

We can be a very dangerous team. I'm sure every team is a little bit afraid of coming to Goodison Park because of the stadium and the atmosphere with the fans. It is always difficult for any team to play against Everton. I think Chelsea will come with a lot of respect because of the game we played against them earlier in the season. We shocked them. We weren't winning any matches and they were winning all the time. I'm sure they will be careful. We know how Chelsea will play and know every player. It will be different to the league game because there are never two games the same but I'm sure it will be a very good match." (28/01/06)

Feeling Fit

Nuno has revealed that he may have played for Bolton a few seasons ago. He is now nearing full fitness and is more settled at Goodison.

Nuno says: "I am happy because when I first arrived I hadn't had a very good pre-season with Porto. I had stopped for six weeks and so in a way it was good to do some fitness work and do a lot of work with the physio here. I feel I am better physically after every game and I am much happier now I know the country and I am settled. I feel I am getting closer to 100 per cent. It was a very difficult time for me in Porto. I was training with the B team because I had a problem there. But here I am part of the first-team, I am enjoying myself and I feel comfortable. I feel as if I am at 90 per cent now.

I was interested in Bolton a few years ago. But at this moment the most important thing is Everton and it doesn't matter who we are playing and what links there may have been in the past, I just want to win. In the last few weeks we have had good results and we have played good football. Now it is important to get back to that football. We tried to play good football on Wednesday but it didn't work. Now we must try and play like Everton again on Saturday." (17/12/05)

Class Act

Nuno was back in the Everton side to win at Man Utd and Moyesy was chuffed.

Moyesy says: "Nuno Valente played well on Sunday. He has the quality and as the Portuguese left-back he will be playing in the World Cup for Portugal. He’s got a Champions league medal, a UEFA cup medal, and you don’t regularly play for those trophies if you are a mug, so he is a good player and like anybody else it can take time to settle in to a new country but when he got injured against Chelsea his performances were getting better game by game and I think he showed that against Manchester United." (14/12/05)

Nuno Ready

Nuno Valente handed Moyesy a timely boost ahead of this weekends clash against manure. Nuno came through sixty sevens minutes of the reserves win at Wigan, and now with the suspensions to Tiny and Mikky, his return to fitness could not have come at a better time. If fit, it frees up Phil Neville to fill one of the midfield berths, as the England International makes his return to Old Trafford.

Moyesy says: "Hopefully Nuno will be ready. He played in the reserves last night with Per Kroldrup and Li Tie and they all came through. Like any other player who comes in it is not easy to settle, especially in a new culture and a new country's football. But he was just starting to get there when his hamstring went." (07/12/05)

Settled In

The good news for Moyesy is that full back Nuno Valente is in the running for this weekends clash against the Skunks. Nuno who has been out for over a month with a hamstring injury, has been busy whilst he has been recuperating. The Portuguese defender is now settled in a new house, and Moyesy believes this will help his performances on the pitch, now that he has settled in the area he is living in. Jesus I lived here for 38 yrs, and I am not used to it yet.

Moyesy says: "We will need to wait to see how he is. He has been out for a few weeks but he resumed training on Monday.

Like any other players who come in, it's not always easy to settle, especially in a new culture and with a new country's football, but he was just starting to get there when his hamstring went. But hopefully he will have had a little bit more of a chance to settle now and having his family here will help him settle down a bit more. He has moved into a house, so he is much happier." (24/11/05)

Back Training

Nuno has joined in training with the 1st team squad and could be in line for a call up for Sunday if needed.

Basil says: "Nuno joined in training on Monday and fingers crossed he should be okay. I have spoken to him and he has said he was completely okay afterwards which is good news." (21/11/05)

Exciting Times

New boy Nuno Valente is relishing the prospect of turning out for the Blues in this weeks UEFA Cup. Nuno a Champions League, and UEFA Cup Winner from his time in Portugal, is driving home the fact to his new team mates that it is essential we get a good result in Bucharest, as when the Romanians visit Goodison in a fortnight, they will not know what has hit them. Come on you Blue Boys.

Nuno says: "If we get a good result in Bucharest it will make it very hard for them coming to Goodison. It is difficult coming to a ground like ours with all the fans behind us and that will give us an advantage. That is why it is so important to get a good result in Bucharest.

I think my experience will be important and it is also a very important game for me on Thursday. I am very happy to be playing for Everton and looking forward to the European campaign. It is very exciting for me. " (14/09/05)

Euro Experience

Birthday boy, Nuno (31 today) is in dreamland playing in the Premiership. He hopes to start paying back the club by using his european experience in getting Everton a win in the UEFA Cup.

Nuno says: "I enjoyed my first match in English football. It is a dream for me to play in England and it is a great shame we didn't win but I just have to keep working. It was a really good atmosphere and that is what I had been waiting for and looking forward to. I am very happy to be at Everton and I hope to help the side do well this season and improve after Saturday's result. My priority should always be defending but on Saturday in the second half we needed to attack as well and that is what I tried to do to help the team. I can adapt to the game and if the side need me to get forward I am capable of doing that.

Thursday will be my first match in the UEFA Cup with Everton but my spirit is to win cups. I have experience of winning cups in Europe. I hope my experience will help but the most important thing is being together as a team and working hard as a team. It is very important to win the first game in the UEFA Cup and to do that we must be together." (12/09/05)

Ankle Knock

It's now touch and go if Nuno makes his debut, against Pompey tomorrow, as he has returned from International Duty with a knock on his ankle. Is there a ghost that haunts the left side of defence at Goodison or something.

Moyesy says: “I hope he will come in and make his debut. Unfortunately he has come back from his game with Russia in the week with an ankle injury. I will need to wait until tomorrow but hopefully he can come into the side.” (09/09/05)

Debut On Saturday

It looks like Matteo Ferrari was pulled out of the this weeks reserve game only as a precaution. Nuno will be left back against Pompey on Saturday. He has come straight from playing with Portugal, and as yet, he has not met his new team mates. He is also taking a crash course in Scouse.

Alan Irvine says: “He has a great pedigree, he played for Porto and is the regular left-back for Portugal. We have not seen him here yet other than during his brief visit for his medical, so we are looking forward to finally welcoming him properly to Bellefield. Friday will be the first time he will see us and his new team-mates and he is likely to be thrust into action on Saturday afternoon.

Everyone knows we have been looking for left backs through the summer. Gary Naysmith has had numerous set-backs with his ankle injury and then having re-signed Alessandro Pistone, he then suffers a serious injury and will be out long-term. So it was fortunate for us that a player of Nuno’s calibre was available at very short notice.” (08/09/05)

Mourinho Helps Everton

Chelski manager Jose Mourinho gave the Moyesy and the Club a good reference to Nuno.

Nuno says: "Jose rang to say there was the possibility of me playing in England. He told me it was an exciting opportunity. I am very grateful. He made it clear that Everton are a good club and suitable for me. Jose's input was very important and he spoke very highly of the way Everton play. He also told me David Moyes was a good coach. I am very excited to have the chance of playing in the Premiership. It is a dream for me. When I knew I had to leave Porto, I thought I would test myself in another country and England was top of my list. I am angry with the way Porto treated me but that's in the past. I am looking forward to helping Everton enjoy lots of success." (29/08/05)

Three Year Deal

Moyesy says: "He has signed for us and we are delighted to have him here. We found it difficult in the summer when we were looking for a left-back but we have been able to move quite quickly on this deal.

After the injuries to Sandro and Gary we needed a left-back and Nuno has come very highly recommended from Jose Mourinho. I spoke to Jose about him. He had him at Porto and he was in the side that won the Champions League in 2004. He is a Portuguese international with a wealth of experience."

Nuno says: "I am very happy. I am happy to be here and I am coming to a club with a lot of ambition. I hope to win things here like I did in Porto. I intend to help the team, help the manager achieve his objectives and that is very important for me and for the club. It is an international club, with ambition and I know it is a good club for me to play for."

Nuno is an experienced left back who has represented his country in the Portugal side who lost 1-0 to Greece in the Euro 2004 final. A Champions League winner in 2004, he played under Jose Mourinho whilst at Estadio do Dragao and the Chelsea manager spoke to David Moyes ahead of his transfer highly recommending him. (28/08/05)

Full First Team Squad