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Donny van de Beek has joined Everton FC on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the 2021/22 season.
Netherlands international midfielder Van de Beek, who emerged as one of Europe’s pre-eminent young footballers during Ajax Amsterdam’s high-achieving 2018/19 season, insists he can improve a dynamic game working under new Everton manager Frank Lampard, an important figure in persuading Van de Beek to rebuff rival offers in favour of the Blues.
Van de Beek insists he is ready to go straight into Lampard’s team, if selected, for next Tuesday’s Premier League visit to Newcastle United – he is Cup tied for Saturday’s meeting with Brentford FC – and the 24-year-old is eager to show Evertonians the extent of his talent.
“Now I can say I am an Everton player, I am really happy and can’t wait to help the team,” Van de Beek said.
“I think it is a great club… there are really good players here and I came because I want to help them go up the table.”
“I hope to bring my football qualities, my passing, and, of course, scoring goals. It is a big part of my game to score and give assists and I will try to do that again. And it is not only offensive, you have to defend as a midfielder and I can do that as well.”
“I had a really positive meeting with the new coach. We have the same ideas about football and he had a lot of influence on my decision.”
“I played against him when I was at Ajax, and he was at Chelsea [as manager], so he knows me as a player. He thinks I have qualities that can help the team.”
“I can learn a lot from him because he was a little bit in the same position – a midfield player who scored a lot of goals.”
“He can help me a lot, so I think I’m in a good spot.”
“I want to improve with Everton. There are always things that can be better and I work hard every day to do that.”
Van de Beek rocketed to prominence as the fulcrum of Ajax Amsterdam’s expressive, courageous Champions League semifinal team three years ago.
He was on target in a quarterfinal victory at Juventus FC and netted in the last-four clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
The attacking midfielder, who joined United in summer 2020, reached double figures for goals in three straight seasons for Ajax. He provided 30 assists across the same timeframe.
“I want to show my qualities, my strengths, to the people in England – but especially the fans from Everton,” said Van de Beek.
“The most important thing is we win games and go up the table.”
“We have good players in the team and the talent and ability to go up in the league. But, for that, we need to work hard and I want to be part of this.”
“Everton is a big club, with big players, the history and amazing fans. The Club has everything to go up and be higher in the table.”
“I played at Goodison twice last season without fans… it will be lovely to see the stadium full.”
“It’s difficult I cannot play on Saturday but I will be there to see the game and focus on the next match.”
“I’m fit. I train a lot for myself and I was training a lot with the team at United. I have a few days to train fully and I’m sure I’ll be there [ready for Newcastle].”
