‘He looks like a young Patrick Vieira’, ‘New Fellaini’: Roberto Martinez very enthusiastic after Onana transfer

Before the opening of the transfer window, Roberto Martinez had been clear: beware of the impatient youth who choose to change clubs. And the least we can say is that the main stakeholders … did not listen to their national coach.

After a successful season in Serie A, Arthur Theate signed at Stade Rennais. New to the selection, Loïs Openda has chosen to monetize his talent on the side of RC Lens after scoring 24 goals on the side of Vitesse. While he was guaranteed to play C1 with Bruges, Charles de Ketelaere put himself in danger by becoming the most expensive outgoing transfer in the history of the Pro League with his transfer to AC Milan.

We could also mention Orel Mangala who gave in to the sirens of the Premier League. The latter is not the only one in this case. This summer, Amadou Onana, after a good season of adaptation but without being an indisputable holder in Lille, initialed a contract in favor of Everton. A choice that Roberto Martinez approved. “We are talking about a 20-year-old player who is probably one of the most talented guys at that age in all of Europe”began the Spaniard in an interview with Sky Sports.

Despite his young age, Amadou Onana was ready to take a step forward in his career. “In Belgium, we are enthusiastic: Amadou has already played in Germany and France. Lille has also already paid a large sum for him. Therefore, he knows how to handle this pressure.” Bought for 7 million euros from Hamburg by the Mastiffs in 2021, Onana cost the Toffees around 40 million euros (including bonuses). The pressure is therefore likely to be even greater. Which shouldn’t be a problem as long as his age doesn’t reflect his personality. “He is unique as a person”confessed Martinez. “Amadou knows very well what he wants and has a maturity that you don’t often see at his age.” Better, according to the Devils coach, this sum would even be an excellent deal for the Liverpool-based club. “It could be a good investment if you look at the steps he can still take.”

The new Fellaini… to Qatar?

After having mentioned his personality, place in the profile. According to Martinez, Amadou Onana has all the weapons to win in the Premier League. “At Everton they could use him in a bit more of a defensive role. But he can also play as a box-to-box midfielder.” Then, the coach did not hesitate to compare the slender median with one of the best players in history in the heart of the game. “His intensity, his ability to put pressure, his ease of getting into the sixteen: he looks like a young Patrick Vieira in the way he drives the ball.” Just that.

For the Belgians, Everton will always rhyme with Marouane Fellaini. For Martinez, who also coached the club between 2013 and 2016, this could play an important role for Toffees supporters. “As far as I’m concerned, he has the physique and presence of a player Everton fans know very well, Marouane Fellaini.” Since his international retirement, no one has taken the place of the “Chevelucifer”. Amadou Onana could above all fill a sizeable deficit in the Devils workforce.

Will this transfer and his atypical profile open the doors to Qatar this winter? One thing is certain, the player is highly regarded by the 49-year-old. “We kept him as long as possible with the Devils. But the staff traced a very specific path for him. With the armband around his arm, he qualified for the European U-23 Championship. like Lois Openda, came up with the A’s. Now they are fighting for a place in the World Cup. In my eyes, Onana is one of the most interesting talents in European football.”

Not so enthusiastic at the start of the transfer window, it would seem that Roberto Martinez is conquered by the transfer of Onana … who will therefore have a card to play in a few months.