O'Neil: Enciso Was a Standout, Ouattara Has Surprised Some of the Guys
Friday, 21st Aug 2026 16:47
Blues manager Gary O’Neil has outlined why he brought Julio Enciso and Abdoul Ouattara from his former club Strasbourg to Portman Road earlier this week.
The duo signed five-year deals with Town for combined fees close to £50 million initially plus add-ons.
Paraguay international Enciso, 22, is a familiar face to Blues supporters having spent the second half of 2024/25 on loan at Portman Road from Brighton.
“Enciso, excellent as a player,” O’Neil said. “We managed to get a lot out of him at Strasbourg.
“He was doing OK when we got there, we did a lot of work with him on his game and he just took it on so, so well.
“The quality he has is obviously undoubted with loads of goal involvements last year in Ligue 1.
“What we tried to add to that was his understanding of the game, things off the ball and he took it on really well.
“So, when we looked at the market and what might be available in that 10 area, to be able to find someone of his quality and work ethic was difficult. Julio was a standout for me.”
Ouattara is more of an unknown quantity, the versatile Ivorian having caught O’Neil’s eye during his time in France where he was utilised in midfield roles as well as both full-back positions.
“Abdoul Ouattara is a top, top guy,” he said. “Still only 20, I think he has surprised some of the guys this week with his ability in training. He has trained unbelievably well, physicality, he can play in lots of positions. Two good additions for us that really strengthen the group.
“I do have a role in mind for Abdoul but I won't be giving it to you guys today. There is a few he can do but there are a couple at the forefront of my mind and you will see when we get going.
“Abdoul has had a slightly disrupted pre-season. He is fit for tomorrow but won't be at his 100 per cent maximum. There are a few like that which makes me think there is still a lot of growth in us, regardless of transfers, in the next few weeks.
“They will both be fully involved in the game and the matchday squad. Obviously what they play will be dependant on how the game is going.”
He says the new players, who are largely from overseas, have integrated into the squad well.
“They are excellent,” he said. “With the amount of turnover we have had, some ins and some outs, there has been no real disruption in the group. I think they are an excellent group, well put together.
“We were conscious of it as, of course, we wanted to sign talent, which meant shopping abroad as well as England, but no one came in the building who didn't have a real good character reference and were going to add to what we have built here culture-wise.
“Everyone we have signed brings quality on the pitch but also quality into the dressing room and in and around the training ground.
“They are a good group but now it is the ultimate test, which is Championship last season and then up to the Premier League this season, the toughest transition you can get.
“We have worked tirelessly for seven weeks to make sure we are ready. I am just really excited now. My work is done, there will be a meeting tomorrow with the players to remind them of what is expected, but the work has been done over the last seven weeks and I am looking forward to what we face tomorrow.”
He says most of the squad speak English, aside from Ouattara, who is having lessons, an experience with which O’Neil is familiar.
“The English in the group is pretty good, to be honest,” he added. “Abdoul is learning. It's funny how that has flipped as I was trying to learn French to try and speak to him last season. We will probably meet in the middle somewhere.
“Daizen \[Maeda\] a little bit, but the rest is pretty good so there is no real problem in terms of understanding. The atmosphere in the group has been excellent. There have been a few meals that the group has done together over the last few weeks and going off the training sessions, the atmosphere out there this morning was top and electric. I am really pleased with where the group is at.”
_Photo: Reuters_