How Much Will Everton Miss Onana?
Amadou Onana’s departure from Everton to Aston Villa has left a gaping hole in the Toffees’ midfield. The 22-year-old Belgian international was a key figure in Sean Dyche’s plans, providing defensive solidity and a physical presence in the middle of the park. Onana’s imposing frame and strength made him a formidable opponent, and his ability to win tackles, aerial duels, and recover possession made him an indispensable asset to Everton’s defensive structure. But while his departure undoubtedly represents a significant loss, there’s a compelling argument to suggest that Everton might not miss him as much as initially perceived.
The statistics paint a fascinating picture. Since the start of the 2022/23 season, Everton have actually performed better in terms of win percentage when Onana wasn’t in the starting lineup. In 24 Premier League matches without him, Everton achieved a win percentage of 33.3%, while in 52 matches with him starting, their win percentage was 25%. This surprising trend suggests that Onana’s absence might not be the crippling blow many fans feared.
Furthermore, Everton’s longest unbeaten run of the season in the Premier League, spanning five matches between April 21st and May 11th last season, started with four consecutive games without Onana in the lineup. This run included three victories and a draw, culminating in a 1-0 home win over Sheffield United, with Onana returning to the side. Notably, one of these victories was a resounding 2-0 home win over their Merseyside rivals Liverpool, which effectively ended the Reds’ title challenge. During this four-match stretch without Onana, Everton conceded only one goal, showcasing their defensive resilience in his absence.
The statistics further highlight Everton’s defensive strength without Onana. Over the past two seasons, they conceded fewer goals on average and faced fewer shots when he wasn’t in the starting lineup. While Onana’s presence undoubtedly bolstered their defensive prowess, these figures suggest that Everton have the capacity to maintain a solid defensive foundation even without him.
- Amadou Onana’s departure from Everton to Aston Villa has left a void in the team’s midfield.
- Statistics show that Everton actually performed better in terms of win percentage when Onana wasn’t in the starting lineup.
- Everton’s longest unbeaten run last season started with four consecutive games without Onana in the lineup, showcasing their defensive resilience.
- Over the past two seasons, Everton conceded fewer goals on average and faced fewer shots when Onana wasn’t playing.
- Despite Onana’s defensive prowess, Everton’s offensive performance seems to have improved in his absence.
Everton’s Offensive Performance Without Onana
In a surprising twist, Everton’s offensive output appears to have benefitted from Onana’s absence. Despite his aerial threat, which yielded three league goals for Everton, the Toffees actually averaged more shots and scored more goals per match when Onana wasn’t in the starting lineup. This might indicate that Onana’s presence in midfield hampered Everton’s attacking fluidity, with his defensive duties potentially hindering their ability to penetrate opposing defenses effectively.
While Onana’s defensive prowess cannot be underestimated, the statistics suggest that his absence might not be the devastating blow many anticipated. Everton’s improved win percentage, defensive solidity, and offensive output without him point towards a potential silver lining.
The Importance of Possession and Onana’s Role
The only area where Everton performed better with Onana in the starting lineup was in terms of possession, averaging 42.1% with him compared to 38.4% without him. This suggests that Onana’s presence in midfield helped Everton control the tempo of matches and maintain a greater share of possession.
However, it’s crucial to consider the broader context. While possession is often viewed as a positive indicator, it doesn’t necessarily translate directly into winning matches. Everton’s improved win percentage and offensive output without Onana suggest that they might be able to achieve success without dominating possession, potentially indicating a more direct and attacking style of play.
Ultimately, Onana’s departure is a significant loss for Everton, but the statistics paint a more nuanced picture than initially perceived. While his absence might create challenges, particularly in terms of defensive solidity and aerial threat, the Toffees have demonstrated the capacity to perform well without him. The key for Everton will be adapting their style of play to maximize their strengths and minimize the impact of Onana’s absence.
Analyzing the Impact of Onana’s Absence
To better understand the potential impact of Onana’s absence, let’s delve deeper into the specifics of his game and how his departure might affect Everton’s performance in different areas:
Defensive Solidity
Onana’s strength and physicality made him a formidable presence in the midfield, ensuring that he could win tackles, disrupt opposition attacks, and recover possession effectively. His absence might lead to a slight decrease in Everton’s defensive solidity, particularly in terms of aerial duels and tackles. However, the statistics suggest that Everton have the capacity to maintain a solid defensive foundation even without him.
Aerial Threat
Onana’s height and aerial prowess were a valuable asset for Everton, as he scored three league goals with his head. His departure might lead to a slight decrease in Everton’s aerial threat, particularly from set pieces. However, the Toffees have other players who can contribute in this area, and they might look to exploit other avenues of attack to compensate for Onana’s absence.
Ball Recovery and Possession
Onana’s ball-winning ability and his ability to control the tempo of matches through possession were crucial aspects of his game. His departure might lead to a slight decrease in Everton’s ability to recover possession and control the flow of matches. However, the Toffees have other midfielders who can contribute in these areas, and they might adjust their approach to compensate for Onana’s absence.
Leadership and Experience
While Onana’s experience in the Premier League was limited, he quickly established himself as a key player for Everton and a leader in the midfield. His departure might lead to a slight decrease in Everton’s leadership and experience in the midfield. However, the Toffees have other experienced players in the squad, and they might look to other players to step up and fill the leadership void.
Looking Ahead: Everton’s Future Without Onana
The departure of Onana presents both challenges and opportunities for Everton. The Toffees have shown the ability to perform well without him, suggesting that they have the necessary depth and quality to weather this storm. However, they will need to adapt their style of play and find ways to compensate for his absence in key areas.
Everton’s management team will need to make strategic decisions in the transfer market. They might look to bring in a new midfielder to fill the void left by Onana, or they could potentially re-deploy existing players to different roles. They will also need to ensure that the remaining midfielders are adequately prepared to take on increased responsibility and leadership roles.
While Onana’s departure is a significant loss for Everton, the statistics suggest that his absence might not be as crippling as initially feared. The Toffees have shown the capacity to perform well without him, and they will need to leverage their existing strengths and adjust their style of play to maximize their chances of success in the upcoming season.
The future of Everton without Onana remains to be seen, but the Toffees have shown the resilience and adaptability to overcome adversity. With a well-planned approach and a clear strategy, they can not only weather the storm of Onana’s departure but also potentially emerge stronger than before.
