Everton midfielder Amadou Onana is clearly a well-liked figure within the dressing room, having quickly grown into an influential asset both on and off the pitch.
His magnetic personality is infectious, and his love for the Toffees a welcome sight given his immense talent.
However, he sometimes can come under criticism for failing to exert himself in every game, with many forgetting he is just 22 years old and in the early stages of just his second year in England.
Many think the £33m price tag should merit instant results, forgoing the investment in his exceedingly bright future which is beginning to shine through.
Despite what some fans might think, it is clear that his teammates think highly of him, with the Belgian’s performance in yesterday’s win over West Ham United drawing particular praise.
After all, he offered a glimmer of quality in a game severely lacking it, commanding possession and desperately trying to create.
His midfield partner Abdoulaye Doucoure would recognise this, taking to his Instagram comments to post ‘UNREAL’ alongside a number of complimentary emojis.
Then, the match-winner Dominic Calvert-Lewin would get in on the act, branding him a ‘GENERAL’ on the same post.
How did Amadou Onana play vs West Ham?
Having only returned to the starting lineup against AFC Bournemouth due to an injury to Idrissa Gana Gueye, it is hard to imagine a reality where Everton enjoys this upturn in form without Onana starring in the engine room.
He offers a unique blend of creativity and defensive solidity, which makes him impossible for Sean Dyche to replace when unavailable.
Yesterday marked the perfect showcase of those talents, as despite being forced into a deeper role he retained that patented silkiness that makes the £100k-per-week maestro so special to earn praise.
His 65 touches emphasised his influence, whilst his 89% pass accuracy was indicative of an economical afternoon. However, to blend that with one key pass, six tackles, and success in 12 duels, and that all-around excellence was truly on show, via Sofascore.
With the vocal backing of his teammates, and now surely a fanbase wholeheartedly believing in his talents, the sky is truly the limit for Onana.
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