Rio Ferdinand has been told by his Everton contacts that Donny van de Beek has already raised the levels in training.
The Manchester United midfielder has only been with the Toffees for just over two weeks following his deadline day move, but it seems like he’s making quite the impression.
Speaking on the FIVE podcast, Ferdinand said: “Donny van de Beek has gone in there and I have been speaking with a few people from the club [Everton] and they have said he has gone in there and lifted the levels training why’s.
“Great lad first and foremost but you can see [he has raised the levels]. A lot of them are going ‘well he’s this good, unbelievable at Manchester United, if he can’t get a look in’.”
The 24-year-old was handed his first Premier League start of the season in Saturday’s 3-0 win against Leeds at Goodison Park.
Playing in a two-man midfield alongside Allan, van de Beek produced an energetic box-to-box performance which was in the ilk of the form he showed at Ajax.
With Frank Lampard deploying the Dutch international in the engine room, United’s number 34 has revealed where he sees his best position.
“I think I can play in different positions and I like to play in the Premier League as a number eight, box-to-box,” said van de Beek to evertontv.
“The manager wants me to bring some quality with the ball, to link-up in midfield. He expects a lot from me and I expect a lot from myself.”
Van de Beek hadn’t played longer than 45 minutes for United in the Premier League this season, so Everton’s new number 30 was a little tired as the game wore on against Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
The former Ajax man added: “I am really happy to play 90 minutes, but in the last 20 minutes I felt it was a long time ago that I played a full game and I was a little bit tired.
“But now I can make steps.
“I think I can help the team but still there is space for improvement.
“I was sharp, took many balls and made some good decisions on the ball – but I am always critical and always can do better.”
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