Lampard reveals the three reasons he signed Van de Beek

The Dutchman starred on Saturday to help the new Everton manager bag his first Premier League win at the club.

Donny van de Beek’s talent, intelligence, and work ethic were the three reasons that encouraged Frank Lampard to sign him.

The 24-year-old midfielder sealed a deadline day loan move to Everton from Manchester United on January 31 after struggling to get his big break in the starting line-up at Old Trafford.

In fact, Van de Beek was Lampard’s first signing as Everton manager.

Yet, in only his first start for his new club on Saturday, Van de Beek showed everyone why the Englishman rates him by starring in a comfortable 3-0 win against Leeds.

Why did Lampard sign Van de Beek?

“I expected that,” said Lampard on the Dutchman’s immediate impact.

“I knew Donny as a player from the outside and I brought him here because of his talent in terms of his play, his intelligence, and his work ethic.

“He’s a technical player, but he matched the other players for work ethic. He gave us a sense of calm and he linked the play. He looked confident on the ball and that’s exactly what I brought him here to do.”

Van de Beek started in a 4-4-2 formation alongside Allan in central midfield during the victory over Leeds.

“I think he can do different roles and that’s the beauty [of him] and why I moved so quickly to get him when I came in,” Lampard added on the former Ajax star’s role.

“I’m a big admirer of him as a player and I think he can do both roles for us. He played as one of two midfield players today and I know he’s got the talent to link and get us through the lines of the pitch with his passing, and he also has the work ethic needed in that role.

“I think and I know he can do a higher role, and he’s a goal threat too, so that’s one of the big pulls of me bringing him in, knowing that he can bring different elements of his game to help us in different ways.

“When called upon to do that discipline role today, I thought he did it really well.”

Van de Beek and Everton return to action next Saturday at Southampton for their next Premier League match.