Ajax chief Edwin van der Sar believes the Premier League's top six is now the elite of Europe.

All across Europe, players dream of joining clubs such as Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, in particular, but the former Old Trafford hero knows the level will be too high for most of them now.

United legend Van der Sar remarked, “We saw Davy Klaassen leave my club this summer. He was the most fantastic player at our club.

“He came through our academy, made it at a young age in the first team, became an established Dutch international and was finally captain of Ajax, winning trophy after trophy. He was symbolising the way we produce talent and help them develop to a top level in this country.

“When they are ready and have won everything here, they go and make the big step to the Premier League.

“And yet Klaassen is having a tough time at Everton.

“He is lucky that he has a Dutch manager with Ronald Koeman. That makes it a little easier for him to adapt.

“I have spoken to him and he still thinks everything in England and the Premier League is fantastic.

“But it is important that he gets plenty of minutes in the first team.

“Davy knows it is tough and he knows he needs to produce top-level performances to survive."