It is a poorly-hidden secret that the goalkeeping spot at Everton is a position which is never far from scrutiny.
Current first choice and England international Jordan Pickford has endured a torrid wave of controversy and the occasional gaffe as his career becomes slightly marred by unenviable incidents and speculation.
There must have been at least an element of internal trepidation from the Everton board, as Robin Olsen joined from AS Roma on loan specifically to provide real competition for Pickford’s spot.
Whether or not Olsen will sign permanently is unclear – but as one stellar ‘keeper again missed out on a dream move, is there an emerging and more permanent solution to bolster the goalkeeping position?
Andre Onana will be a familiar face to frequent followers of world football. The Ajax shot-stopper, who was brutally unfortunate to miss out on the 2019 Champions League final after his team’s dramatic semi-final defeat to Tottenham, has frequently been touted for a move to the Premier League. However, the former Spurs and Chelsea target may well have found his avenue to England closed off.
Chelsea signed Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in the summer, whilst Spurs signed free agent Joe Hart to provide further backup to France international Hugo Lloris. With major English suitors increasingly dwindling, an ambitious Everton side under the mentorship of a managerial heavyweight in Carlo Ancelotti could require an upgrade in their options for their last line of defence.
Make no mistake; Pickford is still a fantastic ‘keeper. As was noted by fan blog Prince Rupert’s Tower, Pickford is capable of truly wonderous saves to keep the Toffees in games, but his penchant for costly errors can offset many of the benefits he brings.
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This is where ex-Barcelona man Onana comes in. With other suitors losing the need for a new goalkeeper and Everton needing a long-term solution to provide stability to Ancelotti’s plans, he is the natural choice.
Even better, at just 24 years of age, Onana should still have his prime years to come. His plentiful Champions League experience is a testament to his already-outstanding abilities, his potential to improve only exacerbates the lucrativeness of his future.
According to WhoScored, Onana is strong in key goalkeeping basics and is an excellent passer of the ball, which is important given that Ancelotti likes to play out from the back. His distribution and consistency are two stand-out characteristics that exacerbate his worth.
He may not come cheaply, but there looks to be a deal to be done, with all parties having a good reason to make it happen.
