Amadou Onana believes his performances since joining Everton have helped to “spare” him from criticism during a difficult season so far.
The 21-year-old is one of few success stories of the Blues’ season, cementing his place in the starting line-up and showing he is capable of influencing big games. Two of his best displays have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.
The central midfielder has called on the squad to perform better as a group in order to save Everton from relegation, a goal he believes must be achieved. In his latest interview, he also details his ambition to reach the top of the game.
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Onana has impressed since his summer move from Lille. The Belgium international was lured to Merseyside with the support of then manager Frank Lampard and made an immediate impact as he was involved in goals at both ends of the pitch in a late cameo at Aston Villa. He was superb in the goalless Goodison Park Merseyside derby and dominated Arsenal’s midfield in the home win over the Gunners last month.
The starlet became a permanent feature of Lampard’s starting XI and has retained his place under Sean Dyche, who set up a conversation between the player and the former Belgian international Steven Defour in an attempt to enhance his development. Onana has established a rapport with Blues too and can regularly be seen whipping up support from the stands during games.
Speaking to the Belgian outlet Het Nieuwsblad, Onana pointed to his relationship with fans and his performances when discussing frustration within the support base at Everton’s struggle this season. He said: “I am spared because I perform well. I am very satisfied with that. My objective was to quickly adapt to the Premier League and become a permanent fixture. I succeeded. Collectively it has to be better. Everton is a mythical club that has never failed. It has to stay that way. We are now in a relegation place, but at the bottom of the standings the differences are small.”
Lampard was a significant factor in Onana’s decision to move to Merseyside and his departure from Everton prompted some late transfer window speculation as Champions League chasing clubs reportedly turned their attention towards him. Onana was said to have ruled out an exit and, the day after the window closed, appeared to confirm that position as he posted on Instagram the message “Said what I said and did what I did” along with the hashtag #Aintleavingtheship. His commitment to Everton’s cause has remained clear on the pitch - he followed up that post with an emphatic display at the heart of Everton’s midfield in the win over Arsenal days later - a performance that further enhanced his growing reputation. He is ambitious though, and added: “I fought to be where I am now. I didn’t receive anything as a gift. That now helps me to keep my feet on the ground. But I am ambitious: within five years I want to play for one of the biggest teams in the world. Nothing is impossible, I’ve learned that over the years… I’ve known misery, people sometimes forget that. I will never do that.”
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