Former Everton defender Michael Ball has criticised Amadou Onana.
Everton midfielder Amadou Onana recently cast doubt on his future at the club.
Speaking to Belgian publication Sudinfo Sports whilst away from Everton on international duty, Onana was asked if he would be at the club next season. He replied, “I don’t have a crystal ball. I am not able to tell you what will happen in the future.”
Since Everton paid £33 million to sign Onana from Lille in the summer of 2022, the midfielder has established himself as a key player at Goodison Park.
The 22-year-old brings power and physicality to the middle of the park for Sean Dyche’s side. He has the capacity to make an impact at both ends of the pitch and has the potential to develop into a true star.
Everton may eventually find that they struggle to retain the £100,000-a-week ace’s services. As reported by The Guardian, Manchester United showed an interest in Onana in the recent summer transfer window. Whilst nothing came of their interest on that occasion, the player’s long-term future may well lay beyond Merseyside.
Whilst he remains on the books at Goodison Park, though, that’s where his focus needs to be.
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Ball calls for Onana to be dealt with
Michael Ball, who represented the club between 1996 and 2001, has taken issue with the nine-cap Belgium international’s noncommittal comments about his Everton future.
Writing in The Liverpool Echo, Ball said, “while he is at Everton, it is disrespectful to talk up the prospect of moving on. Everton will probably need to have a little word with him about things.”
Dyche will likely be in agreement with Ball’s stance on this issue. Onana’s statement is a potential complication and talking point that the club could do without in the midst of these already turbulent times.
The Everton boss won’t be overreacting to this issue, though. He clearly has faith in Onana, and trusts him to perform for the club, even if the player isn’t willing to commit his long-term future to the Toffees at this stage in his career.
