Brussels, (Brussels Morning)- For Amadou Onana, who grew up in Etterbeek, it was only his third cap with the Red Devils against Canada on Wednesday. He replaced Youri Tielemans, who had remained in the dressing room at half-time, who had not found an answer to the Canadians’ sprightly game before the break.
However, Onana played as if he had been with the national eleven for years and added a healthy dose of guts and arrogance to the Belgians game. So much so that he is counted among the contenders for a basic place in the Devils’ next game, against Morocco on Sunday, said BRUZZ. Tielemans would therefore move to the bank and that is a scenario that the national coach is not immediately inclined to. Hans Vanaken was tested in Kuwait against Egypt as a stand-in in that position, but did not come out well there either.
“Fear to stand here, at this World Cup? I’m never afraid,” Onana stated confidently on Friday during the daily press moment in Qatar. “I just try to show my qualities and then it’s up to the coach to decide. Each player has his own specific qualities. For me these are power, drive and physicality. I can play with Axel Witsel, Youri Tielemans and Hans Vanaken. Standing next to Witsel does give you confidence. He supports you, gives you
Onana is sometimes described as a real box-to-box, a role that he also more or less gets at Everton. In terms of style, he is reminiscent of Marouane Fellaini. “I see that as a complement. But I’m not trying to be the new Fellaini, but the best possible version of myself. When I was little I especially looked up to Paul Pogba. I try to learn from everyone and I’m lucky to be able to work with very talented players here.”
