Frank Lampard has been thoroughly impressed from what he's seen of Donny van de Beek at Everton so far.
The Dutchman sealed a January loan move away from Manchester United after failing to nail down regular minutes under Ralf Rangnick.
Many supporters had hoped the midfielder would finally get his chance following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal but his time with United's interim boss was just as bleak.
Schooled in the Ajax art of football, Van de Beek looked to be one of Europe's brightest talents and his £40million capture seemed a coup for United.
But having played so few minutes at United it's been hard to judge whether Van de Beek has the ability to live up to such lofty expectations.
Now, at Everton, the Dutchman has his chance.
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Ironically, Van de Beek started on the bench in his debut in the Newcastle defeat, making a half-hour cameo. But against Leeds he started. And he didn't waste his chance, playing a crucial role in the Toffees' opener.
Now having spent a further week training with his new side, Lampard has had the time to properly assess his loan signing - and he's been happy with what he's seen so far.
"I’m really impressed," Lampard said.
"On a professional level, since speaking to him and coming and seeing him train and play, absolutely impressed with his fitness, his game sharpness.
"But when you watch him train it doesn’t surprise you.
"When I think back to the time he’s had at Manchester United, he’s a top level player.
"He was when Manchester United signed him, he was at Ajax when I went up against him.
"To have a tough time is not easy, there’s different ways of reacting. I’m sure it was tough, and he shows that if you keep your counsel, keep your head down and keep working in the right way, there’s always a way through it, and people will always respect you for that.
"Now hopefully there’s a chance for him to just show his talent on a regular basis, and that’s what I hope to see."
Having completed 90 Premier League minutes for the first time in nine months, Van de Beek couldn't help but take a cheeky swipe at United.
"I am really happy to play 90 minutes,” he said.
"In the last 20 minutes I felt it was a long time ago that I played a full game, and I was a little bit tired! But it was an amazing day and a good start for me. We really needed this.”
He added: "Now I feel I can make steps.
"I am happy to play my first game (as a starter). I think I can help the team but still there is space for improvement.
"I was sharp, took many balls and made some good decisions on the ball – but I am always critical and always can do better. It is not about me though, it is about winning games for the club and the team and I am here to help."
