Conor Coady has opened up on the influence Amadou Onana has already brought to Everton and discussed the side's comfort at playing in a five-man defence.
The summer loan signing from Wolves was joined at Goodison Park by the permanent transfer of the midfielder a few days later. The 21-year-old has already made two appearances for his new side, coming off the bench against both Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest in recent weeks.
Last week, a video of the Belgium international shouting to his new teammates in training caught the eye of many supporters as he showed his leadership qualities at Finch Farm. That's an aspect which has already impressed Coady and he believes Onana has a massive part to play in Everton's progression in the near future.
READ MORE: Conor Coady makes Everton 'different way' claim and confirms Frank Lampard pre-game message
READ MORE: Frank Lampard has told Everton hierarchy what everyone already knows about a new striker
The defender remarked: "He has got plenty of experience, he has played a lot of games for Lille and he has been in the Belgium national team which is an incredible national team to be in. It is something that he brings, that experience.
"No matter what his age, he’s a grown man and you see how he moves and comes on to influence a game, he tries to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. It’s something we need.
"We are all focused on one job and that is to improve Everton football club. Looking at it now, there’s a plan, there’s something we are sticking to and he’s a massive part to play."
Throughout the season so far, Frank Lampard has opted to stick with a five-man defence in Everton's opening three matches of the term, with Coady playing a pivotal role in two of those games since his arrival. The on-loan defender is adept in that system from his time at Wolves, although is also comfortable playing in a more traditional four-man defence.
The centre-back believes that the defence is learning every day from their manager in how to be effective in this system, but it's not just down to them, everyone on the pitch is crucial for the formation to work.
"I can only talk when I’ve played in the games and I feel extremely comfortable. I’ve got two fantastic footballers either side of me, we are learning every day from the manager," he added.
"I’ve played in it quite a bit before but it is different to how I played when I was at Wolves. It is something we are trying to pick up every day. As I mentioned, as a back five and a unit we are sticking to our jobs.
"It’s not the just back five, we are looking at everyone in the team to stick to their roles and be compact. I think you’re seeing it on the pitch.
"It is hard to be 100mph for every minute of the game, I know we all want that but it is tough in the PL. We have to make sure we are in control of the game when we don’t have the ball."
Crucial to Everton's system paying off is the central midfield, which Onana has been a part of from the bench so far. On Saturday against Nottingham Forest, it was Alex Iwobi and Tom Davies who excelled in the position - with the former especially picking up a lot of praise from supporters for his display.
And Coady admitted that having a strong midfield in front of the back line helps them massively and sets the tone for the rest of the side to stick to the plan they have been given.
The centre-back said: "It’s massive, Everyone is still understanding their roles a little bit. You’re watching the game today, we are up against an organised team who are trying to do things right, a team who are trying to stick to a plan, a team are trying to learn the manager’s ideas every day.
"The two boys in the middle [Iwobi and Davies] are no different, they’re fantastic footballers and brilliant people more importantly and they want to do right by Everton Football Club. Not just them two, you can see everyone sticking to a plan and force people into areas where we can win the ball back and we are all trying to get on board with that.
"It is important that the manger keeps on putting his ideas across and it is up to the players to keep taking it on board."
READ NEXT
- Everton player ratings as Alex Iwobi shines and Demarai Gray stays cool
- Rate the Everton players in draw against Nottingham Forest
- Frank Lampard substitution proves what he already knows about his Everton side
- What Anthony Gordon did at the final whistle as Everton taught transfer lesson
- Frank Lampard makes Everton transfer admission after Nottingham Forest draw
