Ronald Koeman has admitted that he is disappointed that Davy Klaassen’s move from Ajax to Everton hasn’t worked out.
- By Michael Bell
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Koeman convinced Everton to sign the midfielder from Ajax in the summer for around €27 million but since he was sacked and Sam Allardyce took charge, Klaassen has found himself isolated out of the squad. He has only played six minutes in the Premier League since October.
Speaking to Ziggo Sport on Sunday, Koeman said on Klaassen, “I called him a few weeks ago and spoke out of curiosity. He was in the picture again at Everton, but now again not. I do not know why. He had a difficult start at Everton, that was disappointing. But you can not say that he does not train hard and works hard.
“He had trouble with the aggressiveness and the tempo. You do not get time on the midfield. I was disappointed with Davy. What did not help him was that we did not have a striker. Romelu Lukaku left and the arrival of Olivier Giroud did not go through at the last moment.
“I really expected him to adapt more easily. That’s why I had also met him. Nobody in the club had doubts about him. Not in the Netherlands either. Klaassen was someone we spent a lot of money for and who could have really played a role in the midfield. In retrospect, you may have to doubt whether the step was not too big. “
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Give him a run of games we’ll never find out if he doesn’t play.
But he did play. Koeman probably gave him more chances than other coaches would have.
I said it when he signed that he would not make it in the EPL.
There is an inflated sense of players like Klassen in the Netherlands before they make the move.
The only one to have done well recently is Wijnaldum and he was a special talent. And Propper because of his attitude and his ability to get the best out of himself. Klassen was far too hyped.
I hope whats happened to Klassen give a good shot of reality to some of the game in Holland.
On the other hand I think someone like Vilhena would do better in the EPL. And Donnie Van de Beek whose the real deal.
Absolutely needs game time before being written off.