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André Onana — [A Thread]
![André Onana — [A Thread]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVlV2Z8XgAIFYKn.jpg "André Onana — [A Thread]")
Onana, born in Cameroon, joined the academy of Barcelona at the age of 13. He spent 5 seasons at La Masia before joining Ajax in 2015. He first broke into the Ajax team at the age of 20 in the 2016-17 season under manager Peter Bosz, making his first appearance against Willem II.
Onana has caught the attention of many top teams in Europe as he continues to shine in an Ajax shirt at such a young age. He became a more popular figure alongside some of his teammates during Ajax’s impressive semi-final run in the 2018-19 Champions League season.
We can see that Onana prevented 5.37 more goals in the Champions League than the average goalkeeper would be expected to save. In the Eredivise, this figure was 3.51.
Comparing him to UEFA goalkeeper of the year and Champions League winner Alisson, we can see that he’s putting up similar numbers to what many consider is the world’s best at only the age of 24. Onana’s shot stopping and expected goals conceded are some of his superior numbers.
• Shot Stopping
Onana’s shot stopping ability is amongst the best in the world. He ranked highest in this during last season’s Champions League campaign and has carried this form onto this season despite a poor European run by Ajax which saw them finish 3rd in their group.
Onana’s shot stopping ability is amongst the best in the world. He ranked highest in this during last season’s Champions League campaign and has carried this form onto this season despite a poor European run by Ajax which saw them finish 3rd in their group.
• Positioning (1)
The Cameroon international has been praised for his outstanding positioning which has allowed him to save difficult attempts that would’ve been expected to lead to goals. His positioning error ranks low in comparison to many of Europe’s goalkeepers.
The Cameroon international has been praised for his outstanding positioning which has allowed him to save difficult attempts that would’ve been expected to lead to goals. His positioning error ranks low in comparison to many of Europe’s goalkeepers.
• Positioning (2)
In these 2 examples, we can see Onana making himself big. He opens his body up and stays up for as long as he can before going to ground. This makes it hard for the opponent to pick a corner, especially where they have very limited time to make a decision.
In these 2 examples, we can see Onana making himself big. He opens his body up and stays up for as long as he can before going to ground. This makes it hard for the opponent to pick a corner, especially where they have very limited time to make a decision.
• Positioning (3)
He covers the width of the goal well in the first example which resulted in a save despite the time the opponent had to take his chance.
In the second example, he adjusts his position well with the angle the opponent is facing to prevent the goal.
He covers the width of the goal well in the first example which resulted in a save despite the time the opponent had to take his chance.
In the second example, he adjusts his position well with the angle the opponent is facing to prevent the goal.
• Playing Out The Back (1)
It’s becoming ever so important for a modern goalkeeper to be able to use his feet with confidence. This is especially the case with clubs who look to play out the back or use the goalkeeper as an option to beat the high press from the opposition.
It’s becoming ever so important for a modern goalkeeper to be able to use his feet with confidence. This is especially the case with clubs who look to play out the back or use the goalkeeper as an option to beat the high press from the opposition.
• Playing Out The Back (2)
The goalkeeper can be used to help build attacks as well as relieve the pressure off his defence in a high press situation. Here we can see him out of his ordinary position to provide his teammates an option to escape the press.
The goalkeeper can be used to help build attacks as well as relieve the pressure off his defence in a high press situation. Here we can see him out of his ordinary position to provide his teammates an option to escape the press.
• Playing Out The Back (3)
We usually see him holding the ball with confidence and picking out a good pass to help his team begin the attack. Onana plays a crucial role in Ajax’s build up play. He also shows good composure on the ball when opponents close him down.
We usually see him holding the ball with confidence and picking out a good pass to help his team begin the attack. Onana plays a crucial role in Ajax’s build up play. He also shows good composure on the ball when opponents close him down.
• Reflexes
We’ve seen many close range saves similar to this clip from Onana. This is something many will agree is one of his strongest attributes. The tendency for him to quickly get back up after a save to prevent a rebound or further attempts is also worth mentioning.
We’ve seen many close range saves similar to this clip from Onana. This is something many will agree is one of his strongest attributes. The tendency for him to quickly get back up after a save to prevent a rebound or further attempts is also worth mentioning.
Other notable strengths he possesess:
• Effective in one-on-one situations.
• Agility.
• Short Passing.
• Saving with his feet.
• Speed
• Effective in one-on-one situations.
• Agility.
• Short Passing.
• Saving with his feet.
• Speed
At the age of only 24, he is a big character in Amsterdam. Described as a leader despite his young age, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if he is to captain his club and/or country in the foreseeable future.
• Clean Sheet Statistics:
-Onana has played 178 games for Ajax in all competitions, managing to keep a clean sheet in 74.
- His international debut came at the age of 20 in a 2-1 win against Gabon. He’s made 15 appearances for Cameroon, managing to keep 8 clean sheets.
-Onana has played 178 games for Ajax in all competitions, managing to keep a clean sheet in 74.
- His international debut came at the age of 20 in a 2-1 win against Gabon. He’s made 15 appearances for Cameroon, managing to keep 8 clean sheets.
He is someone that claims to accept and handle criticism very well.
“Nobody wants to lose but sometimes you have to lose to learn.”
This mentality and level of maturity he possesses will only guide him on his path to reaching one of Europe’s best goalkeepers in the future.
“Nobody wants to lose but sometimes you have to lose to learn.”
This mentality and level of maturity he possesses will only guide him on his path to reaching one of Europe’s best goalkeepers in the future.
Onana has pointed out just how difficult it is to be successful as a black goalkeeper in football.
“We don't have a lot of black goalkeepers at the top and people already have in their mind that black goalkeepers are not confident or they make too many mistakes.”
“We don't have a lot of black goalkeepers at the top and people already have in their mind that black goalkeepers are not confident or they make too many mistakes.”
It is inevitable that Onana will soon join a top European club. The 24 year old has recently been linked with many top clubs including Chelsea and Spurs. For a reported €30M, this would be an absolute steal for any club in the world.
But what would be the best decision for him?
But what would be the best decision for him?
Chelsea.
With Kepa looking unable to turn his poor form around at Stamford Bridge, it could be time for Onana to follow the footsteps of Ziyech and become Chelsea’s latest signing. His age is something that Frank Lampard would feel is fitting of this new, young Chelsea team.
With Kepa looking unable to turn his poor form around at Stamford Bridge, it could be time for Onana to follow the footsteps of Ziyech and become Chelsea’s latest signing. His age is something that Frank Lampard would feel is fitting of this new, young Chelsea team.
[END OF THREAD]
Likes and RTs appreciated.
Likes and RTs appreciated.
