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Van der Vaart ‘feared’ Davy Klaassen would struggle at Everton

Tony McArdle - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images
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Davy Klaassen started just three Premier League games in a forgettable spell at Everton before joining Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen

(EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) New Everton signing Davy Klaassen poses for a photo at USM Finch Farm on June 15, 2017 in Halewood, England.

Davy Klaasen did nothing for the reputation of Eredivisie imports during his short-lived time in the Premier League.

The Dutch international was certainly more Mateja Kezman than Luis Suarez at Everton, who paid £23.6 million to bring Klaassen to Goodison Park in the summer of 2016. The midfielder started just three Premier League appearances for The Toffees before being sold to Werder Bremen for an £11 million loss.

This is stark contrast to his time in the Eredivisie for Ajax. Klaassen captained the Eredivisie giants to the 2017 Europa League final while scoring 20 goals and providing a further 12 assists in all competitions.

And Rafael Van der Vaart, a Dutch international who did impress in his time in England with Tottenham Hotspur, has admitted that he was never confident that Klaassen could make the required impact at Everton.

“In Ajax and in the Eredivisie he was able to (score many goals). In England, this didn’t happen, which I had feared,” the former Real Madrid and Hamburg playmaker told Deichstube.

Davy Klaassen of Everton FC kicks the ball during the match between Everton FC and LOSC Lille for Algarve Football Cup 2018 at Estadio do Algarve on July 21, 2018 in Faro, Portugal.

“He’s just not that type of player, not so dangerous (in front of goal).”

Klaassen never seemed to have the speed of thought to adapt to the Premier League, struggling in a central midfield role under Ronald Koeman before being omitted entirely by Sam Allardyce.

He looks more at home in Germany, however, assisting two goals in four games for Werder Bremen.

Davy Klaassen of Werder Bremen gestures during the Bundesliga match between SV Werder Bremen and 1. FC Nuernberg at Weserstadion on September 16, 2018 in Bremen, Germany.