I’M KEANE
MICHAEL KEANE says working with Ronald Koeman has already made him a better player – and Everton’s £30million defender is proving it the hard way.
After moving to Goodison from Burnley in the summer, the former Manchester United youngster has been pitched in at the deep end.
Today, after a week which has seen Keane tame Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and then come through a tough Europa League test in the white-hot atmosphere of Hajduk Split, the 24-year-old is tasked with trying to shackle Chelsea’s new £60m striker Alvaro Morata.
Next up will be Premier League top gun Harry Kane when Spurs travel to Goodison, before a return to Old Trafford and the prospect of locking horns with United’s free-scoring £75m former Evertonian Romelu Lukaku.
“That’s what the Premier League is about – and I absolutely love it,” said
Keane. “I think you have to relish these kinds of challenges, playing against the best strikers in the world, because it is the best way to improve as a player.
“I have always looked forward to pitting my wits against the best, whether I was a young boy at United or a Premier League player at Burnley.
“Last Monday, it was Aguero - and I think I did quite well against him. But when you play the top teams, it isn’t about keeping your eye on one player. Against City, we had runners coming at us from everywhere – even when they went down to 10 men – and it was about making sure that you don’t get pulled out of position and leave space for them.
“Morata is another big name – but it’s another opportunity to see where I’m at.
“There will be no Diego Costa, but Morata will be just as dangerous in a different way. That’s what the Premier League throws at you. One week you come up against someone who is always in your face and the next week it’s a striker who tests you in other ways.”
One of the big attractions for Keane, when he decided to move across Lancashire, was the chance to learn from Koeman, a world-class defender during a career that saw him play for clubs such as Barcelona, Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord, as well as Holland. Keane said: “The manager was a great defender and I knew I would improve just from working with him on a daily basis.
“He spots little things. He’s called me into the office a few times already to point out ways I can improve – and I am someone who wants to learn.
“Everton paid a lot for me, but I accept that I’m still at the start of my career.
“In that respect, Ronald Koeman is the perfect manager to work with.”