Frank Lampard has explained why he wanted to sign Donny van de Beek on loan from Manchester United.
Everton were notably busy this January deadline day, rubber-stamping deals for two players before the 11pm cut-off as Lampard was himself officially unveiled as the club's new manager.
Leaving it late in the day, the Toffees completed a temporary move for van de Beek and followed that up with the permanent arrival of Dele Alli from Tottenham.
Despite initially wanting to keep Dutchman van de Beek at Old Trafford, interim manager Ralf Rangnick sanctioned the transfer and the midfielder will now spent the rest of this campaign under Lampard at Goodison Park.
The 24-year-old has only started four matches in the Premier League since his £40million move to United from Ajax in September 2020 — none of them coming this season.
But the 19-cap Netherland international already has Lampard's trust as the former Chelsea manager aims to get the best out of his two new signings.
Lampard said: "In terms of our business with Donny and Dele, they're separate cases.
"I just look at the player and the person and I had conversations with them both.
"They're both very, very talented players.
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"I've come up against them in the past and was very impressed with them. Sometimes it's good to get players in who have a point to prove. They come in with hunger. I trust in their talent and I trust them as people.
"My job now is to create an environment to support them to let them show the talent they have.
"It's natural talent they have and we have to harness it. It's my job to put it all together."
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