Sky pundit hits back at Ruud Gullit after ‘stupid’ attack on Donny van de Beek’s Everton move last week
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Ruud Gullit’s criticism of Donny van de Beek’s move to Everton makes no sense because he wasn’t even playing at Manchester United, says Kevin Campbell.
The Dutch legend had poured scorn on the 24-year-old’s loan at Goodison earlier this month, telling Ziggo Sport it was a “stupid choice” and “annoying” that the midfielder had made the same mistake as Davy Klaassen by moving to a side which isn’t attacking enough to use him properly.
The January signing has been out with an injury recently and the team have not been noticeably worse in his absence, but Sky Sports pundit Campbell dismissed the criticism as nonsense.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News he said: “Listen, Donny van de Beek’s a really good player. And Ruud Gullit can say what he likes, the fact of the matter is he wasn’t even getting a game in an attacking team at Man United.
“I don’t know what he’s talking about. The lad wants to play football, and he’s played some football. The fact of the matter is he hasn’t played a lot [over the last couple of years].
“So when he plays back-to-back games his body, the resistence in his legs and stuff, it’s not quite there.
“He’s had a little niggly injury and stuff so it’s nothing to do with going to a club who don’t attack.
“The key to it all is your best ability is availability, and there’s times when he hasn’t been available. Whereas he was available at Man United and they never used him.
“I think Everton’s a good club to get him up to speed. I like him. I think he’s a really good player.”
The Old Trafford club’s treatment of the former Ajax star was mystifying, having spent £40million to bring him to England.
The only reason he is even playing for the Toffees now is because he was desperate for a chance to play after being frozen out in Manchester.
And while Frank Lampard’s side have clearly been struggling, Gullit’s criticism would be much better directed at the parent club in the circumstances.
In other Everton news, Richard Keys stuck the boot in to the club’s recent struggles with another jibe.
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