‘Could become anything’: Roberto Martinez says Everton now have one of the most exciting talents in Europe

Add as preferred source on Google

Former Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes the club have one of the most exciting talents in Europe, in new signing Amadou Onana.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Martinez said that Onana is ‘captain material’ and spoke about just how much potential the 20-year-old has.

“He’s (Onana) someone that’s still developing and could become anything in that central area, and so I can understand the excitement around Everton,” he said.

“He’s one of the most exciting prospects in European football at this present time.

“I think this footballer is quite unique in the way that he is as a character. He’s a leader, that as a young man has already affected the others in a dressing room, he’s a player who knows exactly what he wants.

“The way he talks, the way that he becomes a coach on the pitch, and he’s got this incredible maturity that is not normal to have at such a young age.

“Off the ball, he’s one of the most impressive young players, with his capacity, with his intensity in the way that he can press, and then his arrival into the box, it reminds you of a young Patrick Vieira in the way that he can drive with the ball.

“What’s already there, is the leadership and the captain material that he brings to Everton.”

Martinez will be leading Belgium at the World Cup in November, and handed Onana his international debut in June, so is likely to be keeping a close eye on his former club and their new arrival.

In Onana, Everton have one of Europe’s most exciting talents

The fact that Martinez highlights both Onana’s potential as a footballer, and as a leader will be music to Everton fans’ ears.

The versatility Onana can offer in midfield will be something that really excites Frank Lampard and Everton fans.

Abdoulaye Doucoure and Alex Iwobi were Lampard’s chosen pairing against Chelsea, and the fact that Martinez believes Onana could step into either role as either a physical defensive presence, or a box-to-box midfielder will be invaluable.

In terms of leadership roles, Lampard has already added more commanding figures to the Everton dressing room this summer, with Wolves captain Conor Coady arriving on loan the perfect example.

However, although it’s very unlikely that Onana is handing the armband at Goodison Park any time soon, having someone in the middle of the park willing to take control of the game is an exciting prospect.

Aside from Martinez’s comparison of Onana to Vieira, French journalist Juilen Laurens has already said that the Belgian reminds him of Paul Pogba.

If he can reach the same level as either of those players, Everton will have a real star on their hands.