Onana and Belgium book their place at Euro 2024

Interesting that for all his enthusiasm in the tackle, that's only Onana's second red in 185 appearances for club and country.

‘I read' that he was casual, and although I'm not sure if he was, the word “casual” would definitely be near the top of my list when describing Amadou Onana.

On the other hand, he can definitely play, so hopefully he puts in a performance similar to the one he put in at Villa a couple of weeks ago, at Anfield next week.

I also wonder if Belgium will release him back to Finch Farm early because of this sending-off?

Very casual would be more appropriate when referring to Onana, very casual indeed, especially when playing for Everton.

It seems fairly obvious that he has talent that will have more impact further forward, but that's not what we've done with him.

In attack he leads the club in passes, through balls and big chances created, and he's second in total touches.

Sorry, Tony and Dave, but to me that pretty much waves off the "strolling about" theory.

And apparently Dyche feels the same way, because only Tark among the field players has spent more minutes on the pitch than Onana.

Les #4, you're correct... I included his U-19 appearances as well, which sends the total to 185.

It all comes down to consistency which the team has yet to prove they have. The results have been erratic, to say the least, and that Luton game still leaves a bad taste.

I think Dyche will continue with his belief in certain players despite the conflicting opinions of the die-hard fans so we will see and hope that the next few games see an improvement in the consistency.

Stats don't disprove arguments against his work rate especially when comparing them to those of his inept team mates who have hardly been ripping up trees. Opposition, tactics, team performance, form and many other factors play into them making it questionable at best in using them as a single measure of a player, it's a team game.

On many of the stats, Onana is a “better” player than Rodri but of course he isn't. Nowhere near. Not yet anyway. Much more application would help.

Tom, good punchline, I think that along with a rotation purpose is the reason he sticks with players. It isn't quite what Carlo used to do with the few skill players he had but somewhat similar.

With our situation, we can't afford to have any strollers in any of our games. May be putting him up top with more responsibility we would see what he's capable of but, at the moment, I'm not his biggest fan.

Mike you used to say Keane was a very good centre back, quoting stats, Jesus Onana is top with passes and second in total touches, do you really put much belief in those two stats, if they used stats on pass and move that might prove Onana's strolling and ambling about, how many heading duels he loses, how many misplaced tackles and how many yellow cards he has collected through them.

Mike you like Onana and I don't because of what I see or don't see, so keep trying to prove Onana is a better player than he is and for all the stats you say he collects that won't convince me one bit and keep sending them and I'll always reply, best wishes as always Mike.

Onana is the latest.

Looked like Dyche agreed until forced into the change.

A game or 2 out might have kicked him up the arse. However he did play well against Bournemouth. So what do I know !

He plays within himself alot, so when we as fans see him burst forward, shrug off players or play great balls we wonder why we are not seeing it more often.

Is it just him developing, trying to find himself as a player or is it the different roles he's being asked to play ?

I'm not one of the critics who rip him week in, week out but he definitely has more to give and we need him to give it!!

And if your eyes see him losing heading duels, you (and John Williams #17) really need to drop in on the optometrist, because the stats you don't like show him to be the BEST midfielder in the Prem in the air. He has won more aerial duels than any other mid, and he's tied 4th in the league overall in contested headers won (the three players ahead of him are centre-backs). This season he's winning 70% of his duels both on the ground and in the air.

Yeah, the kid makes inexperienced mistakes and sometimes fades out of games. He's also really good. I'll send you more than best wishes, my dear friend. I'll send you a beer if you're not chanting his name from your seat before the end of the season.

I'll give him his due when he has a good game, haven't had the pleasure of doing that many times, as for chanting his name, come on Mike, I chant out his name now loads of times along with a few ‘f's and ‘b's to go with them, he is over hyped by many Everton fans and according to one ex Belgian international, after yesterdays game, he wants to buck his idea's up and stop making silly tackles.

The sooner one of these top clubs, who can't wait to sign him, lol, make their move I'll buy myself a nice bottle of gin and celebrate while chanting his name.

Good health and best wishes Mike and condolences to you and your family on your sad loss.

He goes to ground a bit too easily to recover a mistake. But he has potential.

But; will he realise that or become the next Moise Kean or Balotelli? I think his attitude is better than both of those.

Is it down to him or is it because he is a young player in an under performing team and dysfunctional club?

I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. But I equally doubt he won't be with us for much longer.

I think the kid has got loads of talent, but because you brought the manager into it, I thought it was very telling that after Dyche's first ever Everton game, he said that he had told Onana, that he was going to introduce him to the Belgian, Stephen Defour (one of his ex-players) to help him learn the dirty side of the game.

Everyone can see that he can play, but the secret is being able to get involved and play on a regular basis. (rather than in small doses) If Onana learns to do this then I'll send you a video of Dave, singing I AM REVIEWING THE SITUATION, whilst drinking his gin, looking like Ron Moody!

When attacking free kicks and corners in the opponents box. Onana finds big center halves a bit more of a challenge. It's rare for him to win one of those duels, even rarer for him to score from one.
If you compared his stats to a natural header of a ball like Tim Cahill, they would still be be superior, but we all know that the Tiger was far more deadly. When he won a duel. Somebody usually paid.

Onana is a little weak heading a ball and in other areas, but he can and almost certainly will improve. The stats prove he is winning the balls, he only needs to get the second part right.

He's a million miles away from the finished article, but he's only just turned 22 and he's still learning about life in England. He will be much better by The time one of the rich clubs come around and take him off our hands.
He is a raw talent, but the tools in his box are there for all to see.

I'd love him to make a fool out of me next week in The Derby, just love it, he shit himself lat year at Anfield and was dragged off, I think he was substituted in a few games around that period last season, come on lad get your finger out!!

Dave C and Eddie, fair assessments both.

Tony #24, thanks for the chuckle and I'll look forward to that!

One more observation if I may... after both Luton and Bournemouth, the last player off the pitch, the one who stayed the longest to give his shirt away and talk to the kids, was Onana. He gets Everton.

Forget Everton and Onana for now and look after your wife and family in the coming days, they will need you right now.

I'll look after Everton for you and even put my arms around Onana and give him a hug for you! Best wishes as always.

Gana is the one who needs punting, no coincidence our best performances have come when he wasn't playing, leave Onana and James Garner to form a partnership, they are the future – not 34-year-old Gana.

Is it tactical instruction? I just wish he'd go for it a few times as he's got the potential to be a game changer.

Still, with age on his side at 22, I am willing to sit and wait, and see if the lad can raise his game to a higher level; I certainly think he is a better player when Garner is alongside him.

Jury still out on him for me, but that's just my own personal opinion.