Sky Sports pundit raves about Everton signing Amadou Onana for half the price he will be next year
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Everton had to go and get Amadou Onana despite his high price because of he will be “key” for “years to come”, according to Kevin Campbell
The 20-year-old midfield sensation arrived for £33.5million after a similarly-priced move to West Ham collapsed at the last on personal terms, despite well-publicised financial constraints at Goodison Park.
He made his debut in the last 10 minutes of the loss at Aston Villa on Saturday (13 August), committing an error that led to a goal before immediately making amends by forcing Lucas Digne to score an own goal straight back, so Sky Sports pundit Campbell thinks he can be a star for the club and would probably have cost double next summer.
“This is a young man who I think is going to be key for Everton for years to come if I’m honest with you,” he exclusively told Goodison News.
“You might say it’s a lot of money now but I tell you what, in 12-months to two years’ time you’re probably going to pay double that if he was progressing the way people expect.
“What is he? Six foot four, six foot five, centre midfield, box to box, good ability. Can play holding, can play box to box. Big. Imposing. You don’t get many of them in the centre of the pitch.
“So when does come up whose got the ability you’ve got to go and get him.
“Frank Lampard knows a player when he sees one.
“Yeah he was nearly signed at West Ham but Everton had to make the move. They made the move and probably offered better payment terms to his club, and he becomes an Everton player which is great.”
He may be raw after just two seasons of senior football, and one of those in the German second division, but he certainly has the makings of a star.
It was a nightmare introduction to be caught in possession in the midfield and concede what turned out to be the winning goal, but his all-action response showed what a player the club appear to have on their hands, and belied his age and lack of experience.
He didn’t shrink into himself but took the game by the scruff of the neck. Not only did he turn big-money Villa signing from La Liga Diego Carlos inside out and trap ex-Toffee Digne into putting it in his own net, but he was only a last-ditch challenge away from stabbing in an equaliser soon after.
How the club have got the money together to pay his fee and his wages will no doubt become clear down the line, but West Ham’s loss looks to be an Everton gain, and once he gets settled in this side.