Amadou Onana
20 years old
6ft 4 In
Defensive midfielder
85% Right footed
Lille and Beglium
This lad is a player. My favourite profile of footballers are ectomorph midfielders, think Busquets, Viera and even Mo Diaby of Arsenal legend. The reference to an anchor within this position is often overused, however with these specific profiles an ‘anchor’ is more than a sufficient description; both figuratively and visibly. An essence of control and ‘la pausa’ or the ability to hold and be a calming influence similar to the quintessence of an anchor rooting itself into the seabed forming a basis of authority. Onana should be Everton’s Anchor. A player who screens, protects and moves the ball.
The schematics of football are often overcomplicated and sometimes a little bit of simplicity is necessary. At 6ft 4 Inches Onana has very long legs, he’s massive and yes this may cause issues with technical ability and potential injuries, however, he can get his legs in the way/on the ball proficiently. 5.50 tackles and interception p90 last season (more than any Everton player and Idriss Gueye) implies this. I believe Maldini once said, ‘If I have to make a tackle then I have already made a mistake I’m sorry Paolo that kinda chat just doesn’t slide at Everton. The best moments at Goodison park aren’t the great goals scored by the likes of Arteta, Baines, Pienaar, or the long diagonal clips from Barry and Osman but when the ball breaks loose in a crowded central third and two opposition players are left with a chasm of space filled with just grass and ball like two predators hunting for a single prey, these are the moment’s where you make your career as a blue. If you throw yourself at that ball without a thought for your safety, you’ve done your job and the defining roar that follows encapsulates all. Onana wins that ball. Similar to how a Boa constrictor convolutes itself around its prey the use of his immense flexibility parallel to the ability that Aaron Wan-Bissaka holds and that led to himself earning the nickname, ‘the spider’ due to his incredible 1v1 defensive displays. The combination of long legs and innate flexibility leads to one hell of a ground dueller, the ability to stick with an agile dribbler who twists and turns like a grain of sand in a light breeze is one that not many possess but Onana has in abundance.
The Belgium-capped midfielder heralded from Hoffenheim’s academy after being plucked from his home nation as a 16-year-old. Hamburger saw his potential as 18 and bought him straight into their first team where he made 25 appearances in a fourth-place finish in the 2. Bundesliga. Immediately, the interest was high across the continent with clubs weighing up the risk of signing a relatively unproven player. However, Lille, took that risk and paid £7M which turned out to be a fantastic investment with them likely to turn upwards of a £30M profit in one year on the young Belgian. This season really places Onana on the map, whilst making 32 appearances in Ligue 1 and 8 in the Champions league, he also featured in Belgium Euro u21 qualifiers which according to inStat Index he was the 4th best player across all games, our own Gordon finishing 8th and Camavinaga 1st, these impressive displays ; led to his first international debut against the Netherlands in June 2022.
The ability to ‘glide’ on a football pitch is one that is revelled by all; it’s sexy, very Cesc, very Mesut, very Andreas, now think Onana. Amadou obviously is very different to the aforementioned technicians, however, the point holds when travelling across the pitch Onana doesn’t tread as a man of his size should, he retains an elegance to his movement and play that is so satisfying to watch.
From a tactical perspective, Onana suits Everton well, he can excel either Lampard’s midfield two within a 3-4-3 or as a 6 in a potential 433. With the tandem of another potential incoming of Gueye, this should lead to a prosperous partnership which also allows Iwobi to play as an 8 which I believe would lead to his best output. Looking at Onana in a slightly less romantic view as I previously have, he is a 20-year-old defensive midfielder, to excel in this role experience and time are somewhat necessary, the short play has shown last season could do with improvement however there is always an eagerness to receive and get on the ball which is one of my favourite traits. Additionally, £35M is a significant amount to any club, nevermind a club in the financial situation that Everton is in currently, what would we be sacrificing to make this deal occur?