Everton manager Ronald Koeman defends Davy Klaassen after £25m signing makes underwhelming start to life in the Premier League

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Ronald Koeman insists Davy Klaassen will not prove to be an expensive mistake following his underwhelming start to life in England.

The Holland international was one of Everton's main signings in the summer, with the club paying Ajax £25million to land his services. He was brought to Goodison Park to add productivity from midfield that Koeman felt they lacked last season.

Klaassen had a good pre-season and settled in quickly, establishing a rapport with Wayne Rooney, but since the Premier League started the 24-year-old has struggled to make an impact.

Ronald Koeman insists £25m signing Davy Klaassen will not prove to be an expensive mistake

Klaassen was bought by Everton to add midfield productivity that Koeman felt they lacked

Klaassen had a good pre-season, but since the Premier League started he has struggled

He was substituted during Saturday's 2-1 win over Bournemouth after failing to have any kind of impact on the contest, the third time in three starts he has been brought off in the Premier League

So far in eight appearances, Klaassen has only completed 90 minutes against Sunderland in the League Cup and a Europa League tie against the Slovakian side Ruzomberok.

Koeman, however, is not panicking and maintains that it is simply a case of Klaassen needing to adjust to the physical intensity of the Premier League; he has urged supporters to be patient while he finds his feet.

'He needs time,' said Koeman, whose side will look to record a third home win in eight days when they face Apollon Limassol on Thursday. 

Michael Keane, meanwhile, is a doubt for World Cup qualifiers against Lithuania and Slovenia

'He is okay. He is intelligent on the ball. 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.

'It is for players like Sandro Ramirez to keep quiet and keep patience. He will come good because I don't have any doubts as to the quality of the player.'

Klaassen may be given the opportunity to boost his confidence in the Europa League, as Koeman has a number of selection issues. Wayne Rooney will be monitored after receiving a gash in his eye after a clash with Bournemouth defender Simon Francis.

Michael Keane, meanwhile, is a doubt for England's World Cup qualifiers against Lithuania and Slovenia due to a gash in his foot. England head coach Gareth Southgate is aware of the severity of a problem that left Keane on crutches at the weekend.