Van de Beek compared to Lampard and urged to join Chelsea over Man Utd

Ajax star Donny Van de Beek has been compared to Chelsea legend Frank Lampard and told to consider joining the Blues.

That is despite long-term interest from Manchester United who are considering a summer swoop for the Dutchman.

Van de Beek remained in Amsterdam last summer while several of his team-mates headed for pastures new.

Ajax have said they will allow the versatile 23-year-old to move on should the right offer come in.

And Jesper Gronkjaer, who played at Stamford Bridge alongside Frank Lampard, reckons Van de Beek should consider a switch to west London.

"I wouldn’t be surprised to see him at Real Madrid or Barcelona but I would rather see him at a club just below that," the Dane told Goal.

"For his style of play alone, clubs like Tottenham or Chelsea would be a better fit.

"They are still top clubs and he is more like Frank Lampard, that kind of player. He is a big guy, box-to-box and takes good long shots, but he is not as technically gifted as other players that have come from Ajax. He is a player you can always get a certain level from."

Real Madrid have also been linked with Van de Beek's signature as have Juventus.

The Bianconeri signed Matthijs de Ligt from Ajax last summer while Madrid's rivals Barcelona won the race for Frenkie De Jong's services.

Both players have struggled to replicate the levels they showed at Ajax which Gronkjaer hopes will serve as a warning for Van de Beek.

"De Jong and De Ligt have yet to show their full potential," claimed the former Blue.

"They did well at Ajax and moved to Barcelona and Juventus but have struggled. It is another level but I think that in years to come they will be some of the best players in Europe.