Amadou Onana | Ornstein: Villa agree ~50m deal

[Gabriel Djemba-Bebe]

Good player but I think he's just a level below what we need. Would be a great signing for a Newcastle or a Brighton.

 

[Gordon S]

A big strong Belgian midfielder from Everton, i like it. Is his chest control up to the standard?

 

[tomaldinho1]

I’m not convinced there isn’t another players of a similar level playing in ligue 1 or Portugal etc. who would cost a fraction of what this lad would cost. He’s good but I don’t think he’s that good that’s he’s unique and you pay big money for?

 

[cyberman]

We weirdly overrate a lot of Everton players even though they are where they are. It can’t always be the manager

 

[DJ_21]

We weirdly overrate a lot of Everton players even though they are where they are. It can’t always be the manager

True but 1 player can’t take a team away from the bottom 3 no matter how good he might be. You could also use that statement for us aswell… can’t always blame the manager. Seems like our lot do that all the time

 

[cyberman]

True but 1 player can’t take a team away from the bottom 3 no matter how good he might be. You could also use that statement for us aswell… can’t always blame the manager. Seems like our lot do that all the time

But it’s not one? Pickford has been flagged for having good to great seasons over the last 2, Braithwaite is tipped for a 50m move, now it’s Onana while a lot of fans on here would like Garner back who is tipped for an England call up (!)
Personally I’m a big fan of Dwight McNeill while a lot of our fanbase would want DCL if he just stayed fit a lot more often even though he doesn’t score many when he is fit. Dacoure is another one who is randomly hyped up every odd week he plays well.
Thats just this squad. Theres been calls for Richarlison, Gomes, James Rodriquez and Sigurdsson in the past.
I honestly just don’t get it. It’s not like we’re sitting here over hyping players from other, similar struggling teams trying to be too clever for our own good. It’s all concentrated on Everton

 

[DJ_21]

But it’s not one? Pickford has been flagged for having good to great seasons over the last 2, Braithwaite is tipped for a 50m move, now it’s Onana while a lot of fans on here would like Garner back who is tipped for an England call up (!)
Personally I’m a big fan of Dwight McNeill while a lot of our fanbase would want DCL if he just stayed fit a lot more often even though he doesn’t score many when he is fit. Dacoure is another one who is randomly hyped up every odd week he plays well.
Thats just this squad. Theres been calls for Richarlison, Gomes, James Rodriquez and Sigurdsson in the past.
I honestly just don’t get it. It’s not like we’re sitting here over hyping players from other, similar struggling teams trying to be too clever for our own good. It’s all concentrated on Everton

I personally wouldn’t touch any of there players. Maybe the young CB you mentioned but I can’t say I’ve watched many of his games as I don’t tend to watch many of Everton’s. I’d rather raid wolves for a few of there players.

 

[SilentWitness]

But it’s not one? Pickford has been flagged for having good to great seasons over the last 2, Braithwaite is tipped for a 50m move, now it’s Onana while a lot of fans on here would like Garner back who is tipped for an England call up (!)
Personally I’m a big fan of Dwight McNeill while a lot of our fanbase would want DCL if he just stayed fit a lot more often even though he doesn’t score many when he is fit. Dacoure is another one who is randomly hyped up every odd week he plays well.
Thats just this squad. Theres been calls for Richarlison, Gomes, James Rodriquez and Sigurdsson in the past.
I honestly just don’t get it. It’s not like we’re sitting here over hyping players from other, similar struggling teams trying to be too clever for our own good. It’s all concentrated on Everton

There's a difference between rating players as being able to excel at a top club and being players who are great for the level they're at.

Pickford and Richy have both been excellent for Everton and on the international stage, and now Richy is showing how good he is for Spurs.

Garner, McNeil and Doucoure are good players for this level, I wouldn't suggest United take any of them.

Onana + Branthwaite show the tools and credentials to be able to push on and play for a top club.

Gordon has gone on to Newcastle and done very well for them.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

We weirdly overrate a lot of Everton players even though they are where they are. It can’t always be the manager

Its neither. It's docked points. Their true position should be 12th

 

[cyberman]

Its neither. It's docked points. Their true position should be 12th

Their true position would be in the championship if they didn’t cheat to stay up?

 

[andersj]

Their true position would be in the championship if they didn’t cheat to stay up?

You dont make sense.

 

[SilentWitness]

Their true position would be in the championship if they didn’t cheat to stay up?

Report stated no sporting advantage was made.

 

[cyberman]

You dont make sense.

Why? They cheated to stay up hence the points deduction? If we’re taking true position surely?

 

[cyberman]

Report stated no sporting advantage was made.

That’s actually scathing!

 

[NICanRed]

Its neither. It's docked points. Their true position should be 12th

I know this is true but are they playing like a 12th place team at the moment? It looks like they are playing more like their current position than their "true" position. Being demoted may have had an effect on their performance.

 

[United888]

Everytime I watch him, I think he has the style that suits in possession based team. His willingness to always make himself as passing receiver option and the way how he handles opposition press. He also has good passing range.

I think he will look better if he plays for other team that wants to go into possession based team rather than Everton under Sean Dyche.

 

[jesperjaap]

I know in todays game it isnt a huge fee, but £33-35m or whatever it was is a fairly big fee for Everton to pay.

He probably costs us £50-60m this summer unless they go down which even if you rate him, which personally I dont, is a pretty high fee

 

[Rozay]

I know in todays game it isnt a huge fee, but £33-35m or whatever it was is a fairly big fee for Everton to pay.

He probably costs us £50-60m this summer unless they go down which even if you rate him, which personally I dont, is a pretty high fee

50-60m is not a pretty high fee at all to buy a first XI midfielder for a team with trophy aspirations. Even objectively, for a 22 year old international with resale value, it’s a fair price.

The main issue is that it will probably cost more than that.

 

[lex talionis]

My spellcheck function — Obama, Onana— won't be able to handle the strain.

 

[jesperjaap]

50-60m is not a pretty high fee at all to buy a first XI midfielder for a team with trophy aspirations. Even objectively, for a 22 year old international with resale value, it’s a fair price.

The main issue is that it will probably cost more than that.

I dont disagree with that at all, though its a high fee lets not pretend.....more than Onana for £60m is a good deal...i dont see that at all, him being a player that progresses us to a trophy winning side

 

[LuckyScout78]

I think and believe Onana can easily do a consisent good job as CB too. Onana has decent speed. He is not slow. Aggresive and good in the air.

If Casemiro is still here next season. Then Onana starting as CB option in the beginning. Beside as DM option. Slowly and slowly replace Casemiro over time.

Dalot - Onana - Martinez - Shaw + Mainoo - Casemiro. Can be a option.


And Onana as DM/nr6 in a counter attack set up 451/433

Bruno - Onana - Mainoo. Onana to hold back and shield the back line there. With 2 more creative cm players beside him. Set up against City, Arsenal and Liverpool of course.

Proactive and more attacking set up :

Bruno - Mainoo - Dani Olmo. There you have. A proactive and attacking 433 and a counter attack 451 set up.

 

[horsechoker]

I think and believe Onana can easily do a consisent good job as CB too. Onana has decent speed. He is not slow. Aggresive and good in the air.

If Casemiro is still here next season. Then Onana starting as CB option in the beginning. Beside as DM option. Slowly and slowly replace Casemiro over time.

Dalot - Onana - Martinez - Shaw + Mainoo - Casemiro. Can be a option.


And Onana as DM/nr6 in a counter attack set up 451/433

Bruno - Onana - Mainoo. Onana to hold back and shield the back line there. With 2 more creative cm players beside him. Set up against City, Arsenal and Liverpool of course.

Proactive and more attacking set up :

Bruno - Mainoo - Dani Olmo. There you have. A proactive and attacking 433 and a counter attack 451 set up.

For a moment I thought you were talking about making Onana the goalie a centre back

 

[Adnan]

Everytime I watch him, I think he has the style that suits in possession based team. His willingness to always make himself as passing receiver option and the way how he handles opposition press. He also has good passing range.

I think he will look better if he plays for other team that wants to go into possession based team rather than Everton under Sean Dyche.

This is a good assessment and one that I feel reflects the ability of Amadou Onana playing in a Everton team that doesn't really build play play from the back but Onana surprisingly seems to switch from a #8 to a #6 with ease. And it seems he completely changes his mindset depending on the role he's being asked to play.

Onana was utilised as the first receiver in possession today as the main #6/DM and was comfortably the best midfielder on the pitch imo. Casemiro was making basic passing errors that I can't quite fathom why he's unable to consistently make regulation passes. He's failing at the absolute basics football and as much stick as Amrabat gets, I honestly would play Amrabat ahead of everytime.

Amadou Onana on the other hand was technically very good as the first receiver in midfield and maintained a pass success rate of around 90% and wasnt dribbled past at all in the game considering Everton were playing in a higher defensive line. And it wasn't as if Onana's passes were all basic passes either, but some of those passes were penetrative passes and press/line breaking passes. I think having a player like Onana who can be utilised as both a #6 and #8 is something that provides a lot of solutions. I thought he was very good but was let down by Everton's forwards. The way Casemiro played today is why we concede alot of shots.

I think if we feel the injuries aren't something that will be a concern with Onana, then I think signing him is a no brainer. Then that should open up the possibility of potentially bringing in players like Alan Varela and also possibly Joao Neves.

 

[aeh1991]

Imo he was the best Everton player today.

 

[Adnan]

Imo he was the best Everton player today.

For me he was the best player on the pitch In relation to the position he was playing in, and hence his responsibility in-possession as well as out of possession was something that had to provide stability in central midfield for Everton. And he did that superbly well imo.

 

[Rojofiam]

I think if we feel the injuries aren't something that will be a concern with Onana, then I think signing him is a no brainer. Then that should open up the possibility of potentially bringing in players like Alan Varela and also possibly Joao Neves.

Can you see Mainoo and Neves in the same midfield?

 

[Adnan]

Can you see Mainoo and Neves in the same midfield?

I can see both players in a midfield 3 as long as we create a strong triangle behind them. And creating a triangle of three players behind them with the physical, technical and athletic ability is the key to affording the the likes of Mainoo and Neves the freedom to express themselves. Both Neves and Mainoo would also support the triangle behind them defensively but the triangle itself has to be of a high level imo and it would allow us to sustain attacks in the opponent's half whilst having the pace and power to control/contain transitions.

So the triangle consists of two CBs and a DM. An example would be the three players below IMO, but if it's possible I'm hoping we add someone like Alan Varela to our midfield along with Neves and Onana which gives us more options and flexibility to create a team that has the physicality, athleticism and technical ability to adapt to any eventuality.


-------------Onana----------
-----Lukeba-----Diomande

 

[Rojofiam]

I can see both players in a midfield 3 as long as we create a strong triangle behind them. And creating a triangle of three players behind them with the physical, technical and athletic ability is the key to affording the the likes of Mainoo and Neves the freedom to express themselves. Both Neves and Mainoo would also support the triangle behind them defensively but the triangle itself has to be of a high level imo and it would allow us to sustain attacks in the opponent's half whilst having the pace and power to control/contain transitions.

So the triangle consists of two CBs and a DM. An example would be the three players below IMO, but if it's possible I'm hoping we add someone like Alan Varela to our midfield along with Neves and Onana which gives us more options and flexibility to create a team that has the physicality, athleticism and technical ability to adapt to any eventuality.


-------------Onana----------
-----Lukeba-----Diomande

I see, thanks. I don't see us going for Neves, though. I think it will be Mainoo and Bruno, with a new number 6 behind them.

 

[Rozay]

I don’t think he had a good game at all today personally. But I do think he’s a good player.

 

[pocco]

I didn't think he was great, he's a bit sloppy at times. Can see he has the skill set to be good but he doesn't impose himself enough and was chasing shadows half of the time and being pulled out of position. Though this could be a result of their tactics, which consisted of vacating the centre of the pitch to cover the wide areas, which gave us easy and dangerous passes from our wide into the centre every time.

 

[Cassidy]

I don’t think he had a good game at all today personally. But I do think he’s a good player.

Agree with this. I was disappointed in his performance today however he does look like a good player

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

Yeah I didn’t think he impressed me today. Two occasions I focused on him during us winning the ball back, and he was extremely slow in tracking back. Barely broke into a jog.

 

[Ekeke]

Thought it was a bombed audition for a big money move. He wasnt terrible but didnt look like a player we needed.

As for Everton's best player McNeil was miles better at causing problems and creating although he couldnt get his shooting right. Not sure Onana was any better than Garner today. Both were decent

 

[Robbie Boy]

This guy ain't it.

 

[Roboc7]

He’d improve our team and I do think he is a good player but I’m not convinced it would be worth paying the fee Everton would demand. If going to spend big on someone from them I’d be more inclined to go for Branthwaite.

 

[3KDré]

Quite odd. I didn't watch the game today, asked a friend who went about Branthwaite and he said the only person who stood out to him was Onana. Odd reaction in here.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Not the type of midfielder we need, we need a younger version of Eriksen.

 

[NoPace]

Watched him close, especially in the 2nd half.

Pros:
-Not even close to being dribbled by, which is a huge issue for us
-Makes himself available for passes
-Good at short passes forward to midfielders playing higher up
-Seemed frustrated when there was nobody open to receive the ball

Cons:
-Doesn't seem to have the cute medium-range passes that Casemiro and the best defensive midfielders generally have
-Does he use his left foot?
-Maybe lacking a bit of aggression to go win the ball that guys like Joao Palhinha and Casemiro have that suits playing by yourself as a lone DM

Overall I thought he played well. He's neither as thick as McTominay or clever as Casemiro* Definitely suits us in that he'd provide some mobility, height and defending and get the ball fairly well to Mainoo and Bruno in lower pressure situations, but might struggle a bit in possession near the touchline or under a high press.

Predictably, he looks like a smart buy for 40M but might disappoint a bit if he costs 60M+. I'm not surprised Arsenal were after him in January, I think he'd suit their style really nicely because they mostly have the ball and look to play short passes and he's quite solid in that phase of possession and would let Rice be a bit more attacking when they played together or do a solid job replacing him when he's out. For us, I think he'd not fix everything, but he makes sense covering the space left by Bruno and Mainoo and we could replace Bruno with another passer in a more standard 3 man midfield that would be solid enough to let Garnacho and Rashford play as wide forwards rather than the wingers that they aren't really (though Garnacho is sort of talented enough that he might be up for either role in 2-3 years and who knows if Rashford will still be on the other wing.).

*Who is obviously well past his best but you can see the brain and traits of the player that once made him the only DM ever to win the CL 3 times in a row, and even surrounded by the incredible group of Modric, Kroos, Ramos, Varane/Pepe, Marcelo and Carvajal and their forward talent, that's still an incredible achievement that for example I don't think a very very good but not great DM like Carrick, Fabinho when he was good or Palhinha would have been able to do.

 

[NoPace]

He’d improve our team and I do think he is a good player but I’m not convinced it would be worth paying the fee Everton would demand. If going to spend big on someone from them I’d be more inclined to go for Branthwaite.

I thought Brathwaite looked quite raw. The height and left foot are great, and we could use a backup for Lisandro and it would give him time to mature, but not sure we can afford the giant fee he'd cost for that sort of thing. That's a 30M type of buy, not a 50M spend when you've got the other holes we do.

 

[Adnan]

I thought Brathwaite looked quite raw. The height and left foot are great, and we could use a backup for Lisandro and it would give him time to mature, but not sure we can afford the giant fee he'd cost for that sort of thing. That's a 30M type of buy, not a 50M spend when you've got the other holes we do.

Branthwaite doesn't look that great on the ball and I'm not sure if he'll ever be elite in that regard. But he is a big physical player who is quick enough to defend higher up the pitch and aerially he will please a few people but his passing isn't very good at all from what I've seen. Maybe he can improve in that regard and we can point to Gabriel at Arsenal who has become a first team player at Arsenal without being exceptional on the ball. James Tarkowski was better on the ball in the game and his short and long game was pretty consistent throughout the game where his pass completion was in the mid 90s.

I also keep seeing posts about Onana not being good in the game but without the posts providing context as to why he isn't good enough or why he wasn't good in the game. Maybe you guys are correct but I never see reasons to back up your posts.

I didn't think he was great, he's a bit sloppy at times. Can see he has the skill set to be good but he doesn't impose himself enough and was chasing shadows half of the time and being pulled out of position. Though this could be a result of their tactics, which consisted of vacating the centre of the pitch to cover the wide areas, which gave us easy and dangerous passes from our wide into the centre every time.

He was utilised as the DM in a team where the manager doesn't look to play through the thirds but the strategy is a familiar one where the aim is to get the ball forward with minimal amount passes going forward through the fullbacks. Onana in such a strategy is utilised to play more vertical as the first receiver and control the defensive transition out of possession in a higher defensive line where the press and counter press are used by Dyche as a defense mechanism higher up the pitch. Onana played his position superbly well where he was disciplined and maintained a technical security in possession with the stats below backing up what I saw in the game. And the channels will get vacated in such a strategy because the tactics push the fullbacks high and the midfield 8s high up the pitch and then vacating the central midfield is a requirement for a player utilised as the DM to cover the channels when your first lines of the press are breached and hence you are open to the transition. It seems people were expecting to see him play like a box to box #8 rather than the more disciplined role he played in the game.



And I wouldn't want us to sign him as a #6, but rather someone who can cover the #6 role but use him as a #8. I'd like to see us sign someone like Varela to play as the deepest midfielder in possession but having the option of Onana provides tactical flexibility and duel winning potential that we just don't have in the team.