Everton star Amadou Onana has brushed off having a challenge adapting to the Toffees as Alex Iwobi and Idrissa Gueye make it ‘easy’. Frank Lampard signed him during the summer.
The Belgian quit LOSC Lille for Goodison Park in a £33m transfer in August after just a year at the Ligue 1 side. Les Dogues bagged a huge profit having only paid Hamburg €7m (£6m) for Onana in 2021. But the 21-year-old has been a very worthwhile addition for Lampard.
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Onana helped to improve Everton’s engine room with an array of vital interceptions before the Premier League hit pause. He also travelled to the World Cup following a flurry of silky touches. While Lampard has also leant on Onana to play in deep and more attacking areas.
Everton boss Lampard has used Onana beside Iwobi the most often in the Premier League with 14 games so far. The Belgian has also featured 10 times beside Gueye, while playing five with James Garner, three with Tom Davies and one with Abdoulaye Doucoure so far.
A three-man midfield of Iwobi, Onana and Gueye emerged as Lampard’s favoured pairing after Everton re-signed Gueye. The Senegal star returned to Goodison for £2m from Paris Saint-Germain this September. He had moved to the Ligue 1 giants for £30m in July 2019.
Onana brushes off a challenge as Gueye and Iwobi make it ‘easy’ at Everton
Onana credits Iwobi and Gueye with his instant success as an Everton player. He has also stated his willingness to play wherever Lampard needs the four-cap Belgian to ahead of the Premier League resuming. The Toffees host Wolves on Boxing Day as they return to action.
“I feel it worked,” Onana told Sky Sports. “I feel quite comfortable playing with Gana and Alex as they’re amazing players and they make it quite easy for me.
“Playing as a number eight or in a deeper position in the number six, I don’t mind. Wherever the gaffer needs me, that’s where I’m going to play. I feel I have the ability to play in both positions.”
Onana used his initial Everton form to open Belgium’s first two Group F games at the 2022 World Cup. Former Toffees boss Roberto Martinez used him solely as a holding midfielder in Qatar. But Onana would miss their final match through suspension for two yellow cards.
He has also earned four yellow cards through his first 14 Premier League appearances, of which Onana started 12. The 21-year-old must avoid picking up another caution through the Toffees’ next four fixtures to avoid a suspension. He would receive a one-match ban.
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