Everton boss Frank Lampard heaps praise on ‘top player’ Donny van de Beek

Everton boss Frank Lampard has heaped praise on Donny van de Beek for the way in which he dealt with his situation at Manchester United.   

The Netherlands international signed for the Toffees on deadline day of the January transfer window after struggling to break into the United first-team under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.    

Lampard believes Van de Beek is a ‘top player’ and says he has been ‘impressed with the 24-year-old’s fitness and game sharpness’. As a result, he believes Van de Beek has what it takes to prove his critics wrong during his time at Everton. 

When asked how he thought Van de Beek had has coped with the disappointment at Manchester United, Lampard said during his pre-match press conference: ‘I’ve been really impressed. 

‘On a professional level, since speaking to him, him coming and seeing him train, I am absolutely impressed with his fitness and his game sharpness. When you’re watching training it doesn’t surprise you. 

The Everton boss also called Van de Beek at top player and said he hopes he can prove that to his critics week in and week out with the Toffees

Van de Beek made his first start under Lampard and the Toffees boss record his first victory at the club during Everton’s Premier League clash with Leeds United

‘When I think back to the time he has had at Manchester United, he’s a top level player. He was when Manchester United signed him and he was a Ajax. 

‘It’s not easy. There are different ways of reacting and I’m sure it was tough. He has shown that if you keep your head down and keep working you can come through it. 

‘People will always respect you for it. Now hopefully he has a chance to show his quality on a regular basis and I hope do to.    

Van de Beek signed for Manchester United in the summer of 2020 from Ajax. The Old Trafford faithful were excited to see the midfielder in action after Solskjaer paid £35million for his services. 

However, he failed to cement a regular place in the Manchester United starting XI and found himself regularly warming the bench. 

The Dutch international only managed to start four games under Solskjaer and never once started a game under interim manager Ralf Rangnick.   

However, Lamapard has shown his faith in the 24-year-old and awarded Van de Beek his first Premier League start at the club against Leeds. 

The Manchester United loanee excelled on his full debut – playing a key role in the opening goal of their 3-0 victory.

Speaking about Van de Beek’s contribution at the time, Lampard said: ‘I sort of expected that, because I knew Donny as a player from the outside, brought him here because of his talents in terms of he can play, his intelligence, his work ethic, really intelligent and technical player.  

‘He was part of a really strong work-ethic kind of performance, he matched the other players in that sense, he gave us a sense of calm, he linked the play, looks confident on the ball and that’s exactly what I brought him here to do.’ 

He added: ‘I think he can do different roles, and that was the beauty and why I moved so quickly to try to get him when I came in.

‘I’m a big admirer of his and I think he can do both roles for us – he played in the double six, or two midfield players (against Leeds) and I know he has the talent to link and get us through the lines with his passing, also the work ethic needed in that role.

‘I know he can do higher and he’s a goal threat too. That’s one of the big pulls of me bringing him in, knowing he can bring different elements to help us in different ways, and when called upon to do that kind of disciplined role, I thought he did it really, really well.’