Chelsea midfielder Ramires has said he is in the best form of his career and owes it all to coach Andre Villas Boas. The Brazilian midfielder, who is desperate to get back into the national team, has praised the new Chelsea boss for his man-management skills and claimed that his team-mates have to take responsibility for Chelsea's current position 13 points behind leaders Manchester City.

Ramires has already scored eight goals and has two assists in his 22 games this season, more than the two goals managed in 41 appearances last year. "My football has improved a lot since he arrived and the period I'm going through at Chelsea is one of the best of my career," said Ramires.

"The way the coach treats players off and on the pitch is special. He treats everyone the same, whoever they are or if they have a big name. It's important the way he calls players over into a corner to talk to them; he listens a lot. Sometimes, the guy says something and he keeps it for a group meeting, comments on it. This is really cool."

"Everyday he's chatting with one player, with another player, he's ready to help if a player is down, he tries to find out what the problem is. There aren't many blokes like that. As a person he's extraordinary, and as a coach he's admirable. My football has improved a lot since he arrived. He has everything to do well at Chelsea, he's one of the best in the world and has everything to be the best."

Ramires was used to the stern management of Benfica boss Jorge Jesus before coming to England, but Villas Boas, he added, is much easier to play for. "The big difference between him and Jesus is that Andre listens," he said. "The fact he comes up and chats, listens to the player's point of view, is what sets him apart. Jesus was more about organising things, we had to do it and that was that. There wasn't a lot of openness. Andre's about smiles and jokes. That's the difference."

Ramires was a title-winner at Benfica but has not yet won a trophy in his 18 months at Chelsea. On Saturday, Chelsea travel to neighbours QPR for their fourth round FA Cup tie and Ramires is adamant that the competition is an important one for the Blues. "We want to win every competition we are in, including the FA Cup, and we will try to do it," he told miostadium.com.

"We want trophies and we have the potential to do it. It's all up to us. But we cannot prioritise anything. We have to view all the competitions with the same importance. We want to win trophies to allow us to work in peace."

Chelsea have a long way to go to claw back the deficit from City but with games to come against United, City and Spurs in the next eight weeks, a lot can change. "The season is not over yet, even if we are off the top at the moment. Last season we were better in the second half, and we're improving every day," he said.

Meanwhile Ramires continues to improve his game and is hoping for a call-up from Brazil boss Mano Menezes next month, having been overlooked since playing in the 3-2 defeat to Germany back in August. "I'm absolutely desperate to get back in the national team," said Ramires.

"I'm working so hard at Chelsea because I want to be back playing for Brazil. I'm sure that I deserve another chance because I'm playing really well at Chelsea. I don't understand why I'm out of the team. I don't understand why [coach] Mano Menezes has stopped calling me."

"I try to observe all the time, to listen to more experienced players, to develop my game. That way I can learn and use this knowledge on the pitch. I'm a warrior from the first minute until the last. I don't like to lose. Nobody likes that, I know, but I'm very competitive."

"As long as the ball is on the pitch, I will keep running. I am there for my team, and I will run even if it's for another player. It's hard to explain, but that's how I think."