Is moving to Everton a good choice for Van de Beek?
Cameron Smith
- 31 Jan 2022 13:37 CST
- 4 min read
Donny van de Beek has been freed. The Dutchman is no longer bound by the shackles that tied him to the Old Trafford bench, and he has finally been given an opportunity to show what a talent he really is.
Signed as a rotator for Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United, Van de Beek's actual role has been far less pleasant. Instead of the game time he would've been promised upon joining the club, he found himself sat on the sidelines, while Fernandes, in particular, was over-worked.
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Despite the form he'd displayed at Ajax, the kind that prompted Man Utd to sign him, Van de Beek was shunned to the side, and was a real loser of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign in charge.
However, it didn't really improve under Ralf Rangnick. Van de Beek was still a bench option, and was never handed a chance to thrive.
Issues behind-the-scenes may have been the cause of the Dutchman failing to make an impact, but it's strange that a player so talented found himself such an outcast at the club.
However, a loan move to Everton has been confirmed on transfer deadline day, giving Van de Beek the chance to play regular football.
Will he actually play?
Well, given how poor Everton have been this season, the answer is surely yes. Midfield is clearly a problem area for The Toffees, with much of the transfer talk surrounding them to do with that position.
Idrissa Gana Gueye was also linked, while Dele Alli is expected to complete his move before the window shuts.
The deal for Alli is an interesting one, given Van de Beek's presence as well. Abdoulaye Doucouré and Fabian Delph suffered injuries in Everton's last Premier League game, which explains their desire to add midfield reinforcements, but the fact that Alli and Van de Beek play in a similar role is concerning.
The Englishman is much more of a second striker, as opposed to the No.8 that Van de Beek is, but the pair both like getting into goal-scoring positions, and hence could create trouble trying to fit them both into the same system.
Would Crystal Palace have been a better option?
Crystal Palace were heavily linked with Van de Beek before it was confirmed he'd be joining Everton, and it did seem like an ideal fit. Patrick Vieira's 4-3-3 relies on Conor Gallagher dynamism and ability to make intelligent runs into the box; those are Van de Beek's strengths as well.
So, the Dutchman could've shone as a left-sided No.8 at Selhurst Park, although he may have impacted Gallagher's game, and forced too much defensive pressure on the lone No.6.
However, it's a similar problem at Everton with Alli's arrival as well; Allan best be prepared to cover for the pair.
Influence of Frank Lampard
The main reason why Van de Beek could work perfectly at Everton is Frank Lampard. The former Chelsea manager didn't have the best spell in charge at Stamford Bridge, but his development of Mason Mount was one bright spark.
He coached the English midfielder how to play as an effective No.8, and he could do the exact same with Van de Beek. With Mount now an established star for both club and country, Lampard's coaching can't be downplayed, so it's positive news for Van de Beek. Lampard was the best at arriving late to score, and it's a method he could easily pass on to the on-loan Man Utd man.
