Orel Mangala has had a number of opportunities at Everton since joining in the summer transfer window, and he was given a starting berth on international duty.
Orel Mangala joined Everton from Lyon on a season-long loan during the summer transfer window.
The midfielder has already been called upon to start a number of Premier League games, with Sean Dyche clearly pleased with what he’s seen from the Belgian international.
However, Mangala didn’t play too well against Southampton, which led to us calling for him to be dropped.
Regardless, the Belgian national side have seen something they like in the midfielder and opted to start him against fellow Premier League player Sandro Tonali.
How the Belgian media reacted to Orel Mangala’s display vs Italy
Orel Mangala played 68 minutes before being substituted off in a game in which he struggled to really get a hold and was a passenger at times.
The Belgian media weren’t too pleased with the midfielder, believing that he only really got better when the Italians were reduced to ten men.
Here’s what Belgian outlet GVA had to say about his performance.
5/10 – “Couldn’t get a grip on the Italian midfield at all in the first half. Only came into the match when the Italians played with a man less.”
Orel Mangala’s display in numbers against Italy
Orel Mangala’s stats sheet was a pretty ordinary one.
The Belgian had 47 touches, a 97% passing accuracy, had one shot on target, one shot off target, lost three of his five duels, loss possession twice, made one tackle and one clearance.
It doesn’t seem like the worst of performances but it certainly wasn’t anything to shout about.
With inconsistency seemingly creeping into his game at Everton at times and now the Belgian national side, he really needs to up his game if he wants to keep a starting spot at Goodison Park.
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