Amadou Onana’s transfer to Aston Villa from Everton in the last transfer window certainly raised some eyebrows.
The Belgium international midfielder left Goodison Park after two seasons with the club, with Villa paying an eye-watering £50 million. At the time, Premier League legend Paul Scholes suggested Villa really overpaid for Onana.
It was a sale by Everton that a lot of people praised, even though it was somewhat enforced.
But ultimately, Amadou Onana had lost his place in Sean Dyche’s side at the end of last season amid inconsistent form, so to get £50 million for him was good going – especially with finances an issue, and Dan Friedkin’s takeover attempt collapsing at the time.
Onana signed for Villa – and Micah Richards has offered his verdict on how the midfielder has got on so far following his exit from Everton.
Micah Richards impressed by Amadou Onana after he left Everton to join Aston Villa
Amadou Onana of Aston Villa looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at Anfield on November 09, 2024 in Liv...
Photo by Aston Villa/Getty Images
On the latest Rest Is Football podcast, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards were speaking about the best Premier League transfers of the season so far.
The likes of Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham, and Elliot Anderson and Nikola Milenkovic both moving to Nottingham Forest were all mentioned.
Jorgen Strand Larsen has also done quite well after moving from Celta Vigo to Wolves, despite their struggles as a collective.
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Lineker mentioned Onana at Villa, and Micah Richards then gave his verdict on the player.
He said: “He started well, he scored a few goals. A little bit of steel in the midfield.
“I wouldn’t say he’s been outstanding, (but) he’s been very good hasn’t he? He’s fit in well, coming from Everton, difficult place. He’s fit into the system well.
” (But) I don’t think he’s been amazing.”
Everton aren’t worse off for losing Onana
Onana – previously branded ‘incredible’ by Dele Alli – started brightly at Aston Villa but has had injury problems recently which have halted his momentum.
He has therefore been unable to justify that huge £50 million fee so far, although even had he managed to stay fit and play regularly, that likely would have been difficult to do.
Everton fans didn’t take too kindly to comments Onana made about Unai Emery turning him into a completely different player, and it’s fairly safe to say he hasn’t been missed too much since he left.
He may well go on to prove his worth as a £50 million player, but Everton need not have regrets since Onana didn’t show enough consistency as a Toffee.
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