Ramires hails Andre Villas-Boas influence

Chelsea midfielder Ramires has said that Andre Villas-Boas has helped him to improve in the final third.

The Brazil international, who arrived from Benfica following the 2010 World Cup, has doubled his total number of goals from last season despite having made fewer appearances in the current campaign so far.

"It's about adaptation," he said. "I feel more adapted so that helps. At the moment I understand the language a lot better which makes things easier.

"Also, what has helped me is the freedom which Andre has given me.

"He has asked me to play further forward, so if you are in those positions it's much easier to score goals."

Ramires recently returned from a knee injury after spending almost a month on the sidelines.