Van der Meyde urges Toffees to take chance on Depay

Former Everton winger Andy van der Meyde believes the Toffees should make a move for the talented Memphis Depay with the Dutch star struggling to fulfil his potential at Manchester United.

Like Depay, Van der Meyde broke through as a teenager in the Dutch league, doing so at Ajax, while Depay made his name for PSV Eindhoven.

Despite spells with Inter and then Everton, he never reached the heights predicted when he was a youngster – admitting that drink and drugs derailed his career.

Depay is in a very different situation, and still only 22, but has so far struggled to live up to his £25million price tag at Old Trafford.

And Van der Meyde believes that a move to Goodison Park to work under Ronald Koeman could be the spark his career needs.

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He said: “His transfer to Manchester United he earned all through hard work himself, but now he is at an age where he needs to play more.

“His talent is never lost, but you have to play football to continue to develop.

“Memphis is too talented to sit on the bench. Everton has Ronald and Erwin Koeman, coaches who I know from the Dutch league. They know how he is. That can be a big advantage. Everton is the perfect club for Memphis Depay, but only because Ronald Koeman is there.

“Koeman will give him the confidence he needs that is necessary. Nice football, for which he can be good, it is clear.”