Rio Ferdinand says he's been told by people at Everton that new signing Donny van de Beek has 'lifted the levels' in training.
The Dutch international made his home debut and first start for the club in the 3-0 win over Leeds United at the weekend.
He arrived on loan from Manchester United on deadline day last month and is already earning praise from his new manager and pundits.
Former United defender Ferdinand has offered an insight into how the midfielder has settled in to life at Goodison Park.
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“I’ve been speaking to a few people at the club and they’ve said that he’s gone in there and lifted the levels, training-wise,” he said in the latest episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE.
“Great lad, first and foremost, but you can see. A lot of them are going: ‘wow, he’s this good, they must be unbelievable at Manchester United if he can’t get in’.”
Manager Frank Lampard also hailed Van de Beek following Saturday's win over Marcelo Bielsa's side and explained why he was so desperate to sign the former Ajax man once he was appointed Everton boss.
"I sort of expected that, because I knew Donny as a player from the outside, brought him here because of his talents in terms of he can play, his intelligence, his work ethic, really intelligent and technical player," Lampard said.
“He was part of a really strong work-ethic kind of performance, he matched the other players in that sense, he gave us a sense of calm, he linked the play, looks confident on the ball and that’s exactly what I brought him here to do.
“I think he can do different roles, and that was the beauty and why I moved so quickly to try to get him when I came in."
