UK Edition
Ronald Koeman: Give Davy Klaassen time to adapt to football in England
Ronald Koeman says Davy Klaassen needs more time to adapt to the demands of the Premier League after a disappointing start to his Everton career.
Klaassen arrived with high hopes following his £23.6 million move from Ajax, but has so far been unable to impose himself on the English game.
He was substituted early again at the weekend, with his 55th-minute replacement Tom Davies helping turn the game against Bournemouth in Everton’s favour.
Ronald Koeman is standing by his fellow Dutchman, but admitted Klaassen is struggling.
“He needs time. He is okay,” said Koeman. “He is intelligent on the ball. I think he can improve in fitness and he can improve physically in battles in the midfield. That is what he needs to learn and improve, but that is normal.
“The Dutch league is not the Premier League and the boy gets time for that. It is all about the player himself. It is the same question for other young players and players like Sandro Ramirez. (They have) to keep quiet and keep patience.
“He (Klaassen) will come because I don’t have any doubts as to the quality of the player.”
Klaassen returned to familiar surroundings on Sunday, bidding a belated farewell to the Ajax fans where he was captain. His last game for the club was last season’s Europa League defeat to Manchester United.
Of the seven matches he has started so far, Klaassen has been substituted in five.
He may have an opportunity on Thursday when Everton face Apollon Limassol in the Europa League, but is sweating on his place against Burnley in next weekend’s Premier League fixture at Goodison Park.