Sam Allardyce has told Everton flop Davy Klaassen that he can leave the club on loan after the Netherlands international failed to make an impression on Merseyside.
Attacking midfielder Klaassen was a £24million summer signing from Ajax, where he had scored 55 goals and provided 38 assists in 180 appearances, but the 24-year-old has struggled to recreate that form at Goodison Park.
Allardyce has now emphatically opened the door to a loan exit, but expressed hopes that Klaassen would return a better player for the club.
As quoted by the Daily Mail, Allardyce said: “Because he has never appeared on the subs bench it would be a better benefit for him and the club if he moved on just on loan. Maybe next season he might be good enough.
“You look how many players don’t make it in their first season from abroad. There are hundreds and hundreds of them – and at every club.”
“He is quite willing to sit and stay and fight for his place. But at this moment he is better going out and playing some football. I think that would benefit him and give him the opportunity to play.”
Good move for Everton?
The only appearance that Klaassen has made under Allardyce has been a dead-rubber Europa League clash against Apollon Limassol, and he has not been included in their squad for the last 15 Premier League matches.
Klaassen has just 13 Everton appearances to his name so far, registering just one assist as he has struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League.
So, a loan definitely looks like the right option for Klaassen at this moment, despite the fact that he is said to be willing to fight for his place.
Allardyce’s comments suggest that he is nowhere near the first-team, and he should not let himself waste away on the sidelines for a whole season.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
Klaassen is seemingly willing to sit tight, but after Allardyce’s comments it is clear that his short-term future lies away from Merseyside.
Where he will go is unknown, but there will surely be several clubs interested in the 16-cap Netherlands international.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10