Amadou Onana has been speaking about his Everton future and life under Sean Dyche
Amadou Onana has insisted he is not thinking about a move away from Everton in the January transfer window.
The 22-year-old, who signed from LOSC Lille for £34million in 2022, has become a key player for Sean Dyche. He has featured in every Premier League game his side has played so far this season.
During the summer transfer window, Manchester United were credited with an interest in the Belgium international. While in recent weeks, following the news that Sandro Tonali will serve a 10-month ban for betting on matches, the midfielder has been linked with Newcastle United.
However, speaking to Belgium publication DH Net via Sport Witness, Onana has revealed he has no plans to leave Goodison Park during the January transfer window.
Jürgen Klopp and Darwin Núñez embrace as the Liverpool forward is substituted against Toulouse.
He said: “I grew a lot mentally last season. I always fought for trophies or places of honour. The mindset is different, you have to get used to losing almost every weekend.
“It was hard. The pressure was enormous because there was the weight of the story weighing on our shoulders. I would have blamed myself all my life for a club like that to be in the Championship. We were reminded of it daily, so it didn’t come out of my head.
“I’m still learning. Personally, and football-wise. We have to defend, run and suffer more this season. And I take that stuff.
“For the future, I don’t ask myself too many questions. Only my performance will take me where I want. I’m not thinking about leaving in January.”
The Blues take on Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park tomorrow afternoon, with five wins from their last seven matches in all competitions. And Onana believes there has been one clear improvement from last year.
“Progress,” he replied when asked for one word to describe Everton’s start to the season. “Compared to last season which was complicated from the start.
“We win the matches we have to win. This is a step forward. I’ve followed the same pattern. I think I’m cleaner on the ball than last season.
“We left the pressing aside because we couldn’t find each other on the pitch. Now we’re doing it better. Collectively, we understand each other better.”
Asked about his preferred position, Onana replied: “It’s (his improvement) linked to my repositioning. I am more on the left side of the midfield and therefore I run more to the left. I like it there and I’m learning new automatisms.
“I am most comfortable in the centre of the field. Not like at Chelsea where I almost played striker. I had one of the worst matches of my career. It’s like putting Kevin De Bruyne on the left, it doesn’t work.”
“It’s clear though. I have the defensive and recovery qualities of a 6. I have the percussion of an 8 and the races of a box-to-box. I’m bringing it all together. And I’m having as much fun in 8 as in 6. If I am asked to be a butcher during a match to help the team win, I do it.”
