“Frankly, I’d like him at Everton tomorrow” – Brands says player is ‘so good’, and advises intermediate step

Mohammed Amine Ihattaren is a name creeping its way into the transfer rumour mill.

Chelsea and Manchester City have been linked recently with the PSV youngster, who despite being just 17 years of age has already made his debut.

The midfielder has 43 minutes of Eredivisie football across three appearances so far this season, and has impressed in the UEFA Youth League.

This has all led Voetbal International to compile a lengthy feature on the player, and as part of that they’ve spoken to Everton director of football Marcel Brands.

Brands is a big fan of his compatriot but whilst part of him would take the youngster to Goodison Park right away, there’s reservations about whether it would be the right thing to do.

The former PSV man explained: “Frankly, I’d like to have him at Everton tomorrow, he’s so good, but I don’t think that’s the path he should take. He will need an intermediate step later. In that respect, Mo is good at PSV. The club plays European football, he has a great chance of playing time and he is in the national teams. If he now went abroad, he has a lot less guarantees. The step to the Premier League is really big and it can also go wrong with a talent. Now he has a coach who sees it in him, I would say cherish that. The big money will then come naturally.”

However, there’s always a chance that other Premier League clubs come swoop in, with Voetbal International saying both City and Chelsea have been in contact with the player’s entourage.

So if Brands sees that someone else is about to snatch Ihattaren then maybe he’ll think twice about his Everton reservations.

It would obviously be a frustration for Everton fans if a player they know their transfer chief rates highly ended up at an English rival.