Everton, fresh off the back of last night’s crushing cup defeat, have little time to feel sorry for themselves given the Premier League returns in just three days’ time.
Travelling to Tottenham Hotspur marks one of the tougher fixtures on the calendar, made even more frustrating by the fact that they will have to face Manchester City just days later.
It will offer a true test of the progress made thus far under Sean Dyche, with his four-match winning streak in the league putting them in a position where there is no pressure on these games.
It will take a lot to uplift the squad though, who cut a demoralised bunch after Tuesday night’s disappointment.
Few took the result harder than Amadou Onana, who fluffed his crucial spot kick and allowed the visitors the chance to claim the victory. His post-match reaction told all, standing head in hands before swanning over to the Gwladys Street to pat the badge and offer his apologies.
Well, this summer could exhibit just how much that gesture meant, with reports having just dropped suggesting that a number of suitors are interested in making a move for the £100k-per-week maestro.
Taking to X, Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna would write: ‘Barcelona are keen Amadou Onana for next summer. A meeting was recently made between the player’s representatives and Barça. Everton’s midfielder is following closely by Manchester United. Nothing with Arsenal for the moment.’
How important is Amadou Onana for Everton?
Although last night marked one of his weaker showings for the Toffees, few can downplay just how important Onana is to everything good that Everton have enjoyed in recent weeks.
His combative yet classy presence in the engine room sets him apart from others in the dressing room, and it should come as no surprise that the £33m man is garnering such widespread interest.
After all, he boasts all the physical assets needed to thrive in the Premier League, yet blends his hulking 6 foot 4 figure with a technicality unique to him.
Therefore, in the league this season the 22-year-old is mixing 0.7 key passes per game with 2.5 tackles 1.1 clearances and 6.1 ball recoveries per game, with no other Everton player boasting better than his 85% pass accuracy, via Sofascore.
Sitting at the base of their midfield, when on form he is unplayable.
The only frustration with the young titan is that he does have a tendency to go missing, and were he to find some consistency in his desperation for the ball, he would certainly reach the top in no time.
That lack of drive does lend to the potential that his sale could be welcomed, especially given the club’s precarious financial situation. With FFP constantly looming over the Merseyside outfit, his big-money sale would surely eradicate any fears.
Well, with a move to one of Barcelona or Manchester United potentially on the cards, that could come sooner than expected.
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