Roberto Martinez has described Everton midfielder Amadou Onana as a 'special' player who will only get 'stronger' by playing for his former club.
Ex-Blues boss Martinez upped the excitement levels among Evertonians about the club's new £33m signing from Lille when he described Onana as "one of the most exciting prospects in European football at this time" in the summer.
And the 21-year-old has already shown flashes of that promise during his first two months on Merseyside. After starting the first two games after signing on the bench, Onana has started the last six league and cup matches, none of which Everton have lost, and forming a superb partnership in the centre of the park alongside the revitalised Alex Iwobi and returning Idrissa Gueye.
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And his form has not gone unnoticed by Martinez, the manager of the youngster's national team Belgium. The 49-year-old, who spent nearly three seasons in charge at Goodison Park, handed Onana his full international debut in last month's UEFA Nations League encounter against Holland in Amsterdam, having given him his first cap, off the bench, against the same opponents in Brussels in June.
Martinez has been impressed by Onana, comparing him to former Belgium and Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini, and dropping a hint that he could have booked his place in the squad for next month's World Cup in Qatar.
"He has adapted very well," said Martinez to RTBF (via Het Laatste Nieuws) . " Amadou now plays in the Premier League, which will only make him stronger.
"He has physical qualities that we haven't seen since Fellaini. He is also a leader. Despite his age he already has a lot of experience. Amadou has already played in three top European competitions: the Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and now the Premier League. That's special. He is a very useful player.”
In the same interview Martinez was asked about whether he will remain as Belgium manager after the World Cup. He had been linked with a return to Everton following the sacking of Rafa Benitez in January . But the move did not materialise and the Blues instead turned to Frank Lampard, who guided the club to Premier League safety before undergoing a summer overhaul of the squad that saw Onana arrive along with seven other new players.
Martinez said of his future: “I'm going to the World Cup as if there is no tomorrow. I don't think too much about it. The future of the national coach is not important, but how we do it as a team.
"Do I want to continue? Why not? I have a very good relationship with the board. I work here every day as if I will be here for another 20 or 30 years."
During his six years in charge of Belgium, Martinez has won 55 of the 76 games he has overseen, leading the Red Devils to the top of the FIFA world rankings and to a third-placed finish at the 2018 World Cup.
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