Lampard impressed with how Donny van de Beek coped with United disappointment
Everton boss Frank Lampard has praised Donny van de Beek for the way he reacted to his lack of game time at Manchester United.
The Dutchman impressed against Leeds in what was his first start for the Toffees.
It was the 24-year-old’s first Premier League start of the season after he found himself way down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
Lampard was asked how impressed he was with the way van de Beek coped with the disappointment of not playing at Manchester United.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Lampard said: “Really impressed. On a professional level since speaking to him, seeing him train and play – absolutely impressed with his fitness, his game sharpness, but when you watch him train it doesn’t surprise you.
“But when I think back to the time he’s had at Manchester United – he’s a top level player, he was when Manchester United signed him and he was at Ajax – I went up against him.
“To have a tough time isn’t easy there’s different ways of reacting and I’m sure it was tough and he shows that if you keep your counsel, keep you head down, keep working in the right way – I think there is always a way through it.
“People will always respect you for that and now hopefully is a chance for him to show his talent on a regular basis and that’s what I hope to see.”
Everton’s new number 30 looks rejuvenated during the short time he’s been at Goodison Park and will no doubt be eager to kick on from the impressive start to life on Merseyside.
Unlike under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick or Ralf Rangnick, Lampard clearly believes in the qualities Donny van de Beek possesses.
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