Amadou Onana

[jolsnogross]

Their upswing centres around their manager. Emery knows what he's doing and knows how to win things. Onana seems very over priced to me, but as another piece of the puzzle in their midfield it makes a lot of sense. They have a lot of flexibility in the middle of the park, so as long as they maintain that unity and sense of mission they had last season, they'll be up there again next year.

 

[BorjeSpurs]

They sold luiz and a youth kid for good money. They're owners have plenty of cash to splash and champs league revenue to back it up.

They're a club with a plan and massively on the up. I think onana is a good signing for them. They're not far short of a really strong squad.

Villa are definitely on the up, but Newcastle showed last season that rich owners and one season of CL football doesn't necessarily accelerate you to the top.

 

[muppetman]

I’ll wait for Villa to be consistent before I start getting too worried.

Spending big money is hardly a sure fire success and things can change quickly, at one point people thought Slippy G was a decent manager!

 

[yido_number1]

Villa are definitely on the up, but Newcastle showed last season that rich owners and one season of CL football doesn't necessarily accelerate you to the top.

Villa have been on the up over a number of years, Newcastle had one good window and went for it. They are chalk and cheese scenarios.

Newcastle had really strong form towards the end of the season another good window and they could be above us again. It's a really tight group in the 3rd -8th spots.

 

[spursfan77]

He’s not as good as Douglas Luiz so it’s a downgrade in that position for me. I think they’ll struggle to finish top 6 next season FWIW. Teams won’t give them such an easy ride.

 

[worcestersauce]

Villa's biggest asset is Unai Emery he really is a top top manager so I don't see Villa tailing off this year, their problem will be us being better.

 

[sidford]

Everton fan next door isn't exactly disappointed with this. No goals or assists in the season which even for a defensive midfielder isn't great.
Reckons it's a good piece of business for Everton

 

[ghjk_91]

I think the fact he's worth £50m reflects how boring and stale football has become.

If you're physical, strong and can cover a lot of ground, despite being technically average, you're worth £50m.

Flair and creativity are dying out.

 

[eppingyid]

I think the fact he's worth £50m reflects how boring and stale football has become.

If you're physical, strong and can cover a lot of ground, despite being technically average, you're worth £50m.

Flair and creativity are dying out.

Yeah it’s very sad. I did a basic fa coaching course about 5 years ago. I was surprised when the instructor admitted scouts were starting to go to the kids sports days because they thought the football side could be coached but wanted the best in class athletically

 

[piedpiper]

I think the fact he's worth £50m reflects how boring and stale football has become.

If you're physical, strong and can cover a lot of ground, despite being technically average, you're worth £50m.

Flair and creativity are dying out.

Remember when our support base said that Yves Bissouma was a steal at £25 million... well he was worth exactly that. Onana is only 22... his best years are ahead of him. Their recruitment committee wouldn't sanction it if they didn't think he'll adapt. I think some in here are deflecting.... I'm sure supporters of other clubs felt the same when we paid over the odds for Brennan Johnson as an example.

 

[samsonlevi]

Everyone saying £50 mil is insane.

i disagree.
We have just paid £40mil (if reports are to be believed) for gray. Who I think is worth that (or will prove to be)

they have paid £10mil more for a 22 year old Belgium international who’s starting for his country and has 2 years prem experience. Ultimately I think the fee they have paid is about right.

I understand it’s human nature to try and make ourselves feel better and convince ourselves that a rivals business is not good. But they are doing alright this window. I expect many pundits to claim they have had an “A grade” transfer window when it nears closing. But as we all know…. That won’t be clear until around 9 months time.

 

[luRRka]

Everyone saying £50 mil is insane.

i disagree.
We have just paid £40mil (if reports are to be believed) for gray. Who I think is worth that (or will prove to be)

they have paid £10mil more for a 22 year old Belgium international who’s starting for his country and has 2 years prem experience. Ultimately I think the fee they have paid is about right.

I understand it’s human nature to try and make ourselves feel better and convince ourselves that a rivals business is not good. But they are doing alright this window. I expect many pundits to claim they have had an “A grade” transfer window when it nears closing. But as we all know…. That won’t be clear until around 9 months time.

I think people are saying it cos he's just not very good. They said the same at the start of the thread when he was linked to us

 

[offside_ruel_fox]

Onana is a good player but for me a downgrade on Luiz.

Does not massively weaken them but certainly does not improve.

 

[Revo19]

Everyone saying £50 mil is insane.

i disagree.
We have just paid £40mil (if reports are to be believed) for gray. Who I think is worth that (or will prove to be)

they have paid £10mil more for a 22 year old Belgium international who’s starting for his country and has 2 years prem experience. Ultimately I think the fee they have paid is about right.

I understand it’s human nature to try and make ourselves feel better and convince ourselves that a rivals business is not good. But they are doing alright this window. I expect many pundits to claim they have had an “A grade” transfer window when it nears closing. But as we all know…. That won’t be clear until around 9 months time.

100%
Sometimes we need to take off the Spurs tinted glasses and make a reasoned assessment. Onana will give them strength, height, robustness in midfield and a threat from set-pieces - we lack these qualities in our midfield and we definitely struggled in midfield duels, winning 2nd balls, recoveries etc. Most fans thought we were well covered start of last season in midfield but it was evident during the season we lacked a defensive midfielder competent in duels and defensive transitions.
Onana also has PL and international experience and still young, yes they may have overpaid slightly but addressed a key position in their starting 11, despite having Kamara and Tielemans.

Don’t think we should be hedging our bets in Gray as a starting 6 for the majority of the season. Bissouma clearly wasn’t up to it, neither is Skipp and Hjojberg soon to be off. We still need a midfield general, robust dictator of play amidst the possession based midfielders to counter opposition threats.

 

[piedpiper]

Onana is a good player but for me a downgrade on Luiz.

Does not massively weaken them but certainly does not improve.

Immediately.... perhaps not.... 12-18 months from it could turn out to be smart business. Unai Emery is a smart manager... he'll work his magic on him.

 

[kd2000]

I wouldn't be overly surprised if he ends up being a bench option.
Kamara, Mcginn are pretty much set
That leaves a choice of Barkley and Onana as it stands.
Personally I would have Barkley

 

[jurgen]

Remember when our support base said that Yves Bissouma was a steal at £25 million... well he was worth exactly that. Onana is only 22... his best years are ahead of him. Their recruitment committee wouldn't sanction it if they didn't think he'll adapt. I think some in here are deflecting.... I'm sure supporters of other clubs felt the same when we paid over the odds for Brennan Johnson as an example.

Bissouma had done more in this league before his £25m transfer than Onana has for his £50m one.. so let's see

 

[luRRka]

I wouldn't be overly surprised if he ends up being a bench option.
Kamara, Mcginn are pretty much set
That leaves a choice of Barkley and Onana as it stands.
Personally I would have Barkley

And tielemans and Morgan Rogers and barrenechea who they've just signed

 

[Frozen_Waffles]

despite having Kamara and Tielemans.

Don’t think we should be hedging our bets in Gray as a starting 6 for the majority of the season. Bissouma clearly wasn’t up to it, neither is Skipp and Hjojberg soon to be off. We still need a midfield general, robust dictator of play amidst the possession based midfielders to counter opposition threats.

First Tielemans imo is massively overrated. Apart from a few motd wonder goals his general play is pretty poor, he goes missing a lot. Massively overhyped when he was younger.

I also completely disagree that Onana is a midfield general. His physical attributes are strong, but I've never seen him dominate a game. He has potential and at 22 he could be a great player. For me though he has yet to show consistent form that he is that player now. So 50m is a lot for a player based of solely his potential.

I think with Onana people are looking at his attributes rather than his general play. If I was to pick a team for Villa (or Everton) and I had the choice of one of Hoijberg or Onana, it would be Hoijberg everyday. I've seen Hoijberg be that midfield general, not so with Onana.

Like others have said, Luiz is a far superior player and although Onana will be useful, he won't make them better.

Also with the other example Gray, he has dominated games and although we can talk about potential, there is an argument to say he has already proved he can be that player, albeit in the championship.

I could look a fool of course, because if Onana improves his consistently and his overall game he could be a 100m+ player. That is still a massive if though.
I always look at players and think would they work out at spurs and for me I wouldn't be happy if we signed Onana. Yes Bissouma had a poor season, yes Bentancur has suffered from injuries and Hoijberg doesn't really fit the system. But I'd still have all 3 over Onana right now.

The thing with Onana is if you watch a YouTube highlights reel he'll look spectacular, but apart from odd moments he rarely influences games as much as he should. He is 22 and that may change, but I'm not convinced.

 

[matty74]

Never saw it when I watched him for Everton very average in most departments definitely a downgrade on luiz for Villa