Everton manager Ronald Koeman has used the example of Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan to defend his new signing Davy Klaassen’s performances and has stressed the importance of giving the Dutchman time to adjust.
Klaassen joined Everton from Ajax as part of Koeman’s expensive retooling of the squad in the summer that saw the club spend close to £150m during the transfer window.
However, the new signings have not clicked into gear and Koeman has attracted heavy criticism for some of Everton's lackadaisical and uninspiring performances at the start of the campaign.
Klaassen has especially struggled to make a mark in his first months in England and is not a regular starter at Everton this season after leading Ajax to the Europa League final last year.
Koeman has supported his fellow Dutchman and is a believer in his talent, but feels as a midfielder Klaassen will need time to adjust to the pace and the style of football of the Premier League.
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He believes Mkhitaryan is a great example of a top player who struggled in his first season in the Premier League but has become a key component for Manchester United this term.
Koeman told Dutch daily De Telegraaf: “For Davy it has not been easy start for him at Everton, but I have no doubt about his qualities.
“There are so many other examples of players in the Premier League who were best in their country and moved to England because they were ready for a higher level but once they arrived it turned out that they needed a period of time to adjust.
“In terms of pace, aggressiveness and the physicality especially for a midfielder [it’s difficult]. No matter how good you are, you won’t be at your top at once when you are in English football.
“There are bigger players who moved to bigger clubs who needed a whole season. The best example is Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who was the best at Dortmund and Manchester United bought him for big money.
“If you saw and heard the criticism he received in his first season, that was unprecedented and he also had his difficulties.
“Now he is playing at his level and is important for Manchester United every week but only after one season in the Premier League.”
Klaassen has not played in two of Everton’s last three Premier League games.
