Assessing the Impact of Amadou Onana's Departure from Everton

Assessing the Impact of Amadou Onana's Departure from Everton

Amadou Onana of Belgium runs with the ball during the Round of 16 - UEFA EURO 2024 match between France and Belgium at Dusseldorf Arena on July 1, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany.(Image- Getty)

Amadou Onana's transfer from Everton to Aston Villa has raised questions about the potential impact on his former club. While Onana was a key player for Everton, statistics suggest that his departure may not be as damaging as initially thought.

Onana's defensive strengths were evident during his time at Everton, with impressive numbers in tackles, ground and aerial duels, and ball recoveries. However, his exit may not be felt as strongly as expected, given the team's performance without him in the starting lineup.

Since the 2022/23 season, Everton's win percentage has been higher in matches where Onana did not start (33.3% compared to 25%). Additionally, the team conceded fewer goals on average and faced fewer shots without Onana in the starting lineup.

Offensively, Everton had more shots and averaged more goals per match without Onana. The only metric where Everton performed better with Onana was possession, averaging 42.1% with him in the starting lineup compared to 38.4% without him.

During a five-match unbeaten run last season, Everton played four matches without Onana, including a notable 2-0 win over Liverpool. The team conceded only one goal during this stretch, suggesting that Onana's absence did not significantly impact their defensive solidity.

While Onana's departure may still be felt, the statistics suggest that Everton can adapt and potentially thrive without him. His new club, Aston Villa, will likely benefit from his skills, but Everton's performance without him in the starting lineup indicates that they can find ways to succeed in his absence.