There was much optimism at the start of the campaign for Everton, with Frank Lampard able to get a full pre-season under his belt as he tried to take the feelgood factor that he’d built from the fans into the new campaign.
Unfortunately for him it didn’t last long. Everton went on a wretched run and the negativity surrounding the club soon returned with some blame going on the coach.
One of the reasons he was criticised was due to some of his work in transfer windows as he signed Dele Alli - who soon got sent on loan to Turkey - and striker Neal Maupay who has been far from successful so far.
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However, the one signing which excited every Evertonian was Amadou Onana who they secured for a £30 million fee beating other sides to secure his signature reinvigorating the midfield.
The 20-year-old joined from Ligue 1 side Lille with lots of promise after playing 42 games in all competitions with eight of them coming in the Champions League showing he is capable of mixing with Europe’s elite.
He has proved that he has a lot to give with the midfielder adapting quickly to the new division and arguably becoming one of the first names on the Everton team sheet under both Lampard and Sean Dyche.
With 30 games under his belt at Everton so far, he will be key as they look to avoid relegation with Dyche preferring a midfield three of him, Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Onana's silkiness on the ball alongside his willingness to drive with possession as well as his solid defensive side of the game has impressed fans but worryingly for them it will have also impressed many teams ahead of Everton in the division.
In January, Onana was linked with table-toppers Arsenal before they signed Jorginho from Chelsea but according to reports their interest in him has not died down.
A potential sale of Onana would disappoint Everton fans but it would be a prime example of how Everton should be acting in the transfer market if they want to be back to competing for European places.
They’ve tried throwing ridiculous amounts of money at the transfer window thanks to Farhad Moshiri and it has put the club back an unfathomable amount hence why they are fighting relegation yet again.
If Everton can make a big profit on Onana after one season, he should be the example that should be used for every future transfer made.
Buying young players with heaps of potential before possibly having to sell due to an offer which is too good to turn down is the most sensible way to act for a Premier League side who aren’t competing in the top half of the table.
It is how the likes of Brighton and Brentford have done well in the Premier League whilst it is also how some of the top sides in Europe succeed by being so self-sufficient with Borussia Dortmund and Benfica being the two prominent examples with both reaching the Champions League knockout rounds this season.
A sell-to-buy model may not necessarily be the aim as keeping hold of the players would be preferred but the goal should be to eventually get to the point where Everton can get back to competing for European places therefore being able to reject offers.
So, whether Onana does go or not the positives need to be acknowledged about the transfer before any negativity, as if Everton are to stay afloat in the top flight this term, he will surely play a major role.
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