Sean Dyche could save Everton millions with ‘second to none’ Amadou Onana heir

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Everton’s January has been deathly silent thus far, with outgoings more of a focus than any incomings.

After all, with their precarious financial situation only lending to such a notion, and having received a second breach earlier this week, it feels like the pressure to offload key assets only mounts.

Of the many stars at Sean Dyche’s disposal, it would be foolish to suggest that anyone other than Jarrad Branthwaite or Amadou Onana could pull them out of the hole they find themselves in.

Yet given they want to retain this youthful spine of their team, whilst also finally pulling away from the profit and sustainability rules that continue to plague them, whichever decision represents a double-edged sword.

However, they may have an answer to Onana’s potential sale lurking in the academy.

Could Amadou Onana leave Everton?

Given he was the star branded ‘most likely’ to depart Goodison Park out of him and Branthwaite, it has always felt like Onana seems both more ready and keen to take that next step away from Everton.

After all, he has made clear his desire to one day feature at the top of football, and has drawn suitors ranging from Chelsea and Arsenal to Barcelona.

With a price tag that would surely have to far surpass the £33m initially spent to sign him from LOSC Lille, and a whole host of central midfielders in the academy who would love to take his spot, it would have to be a perfect deal to convince Everton to sell.

However, should they pocket the profit made from the Belgium international, and then opt to promote Lewis Warrington, they might just save millions.

How good is Lewis Warrington?

Although the momentum gathering for the 21-year-old has been scuppered in the last few years, he remains an impressive midfield talent who still has a bright career ahead of him.

After all, his 2022/23 loan spell with Fleetwood Town saw him impress, blending 0.7 key passes per game with 1.7 tackles per game in League One, via Sofascore.

However, it is his intangible qualities that have truly drawn praise from a few names in football, many of whom predict a fine future for the young maestro.

In fact, his former assistant manager Steven Whittaker at Fleetwood Town would note: ‘Lewis has been great. He is a great centre midfielder for us. He constantly wants the ball so for the moments when we try and play we know he never hides – he wants on that ball. 

‘He gets us through the thirds in a certain way and helps us build play. His stats and his work rate are second to none. He has been a big part of what we have done.’

That kind of progression and energy in the midfield would surely be a useful weapon alongside James Garner, and if the two could strike up a partnership fast they might just be able to offset Onana’s absence and excel for the next decade.