Belgium’s promising young ace, Amadou Onana, has been described as a “super talent,” but he needs to curb his ruthless streak to successfully transition from the Premier League to the international stage with the Belgian national team, writes the HITC.
During a recent match, Domenico Tedesco’s Everton side held a comfortable 3-1 lead against Austria. However, the match took an unexpected turn when Amadou Onana aggressively collided with an opposition midfielder. This reckless challenge led to an early exit for Onana, leaving Belgium to hold on to their lead with just 15 minutes left in the game. It was a moment of mistimed aggression that briefly disrupted Belgium’s dominance.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Onana has faced suspension during his brief international career. He missed a group-stage clash with Croatia at the Qatar World Cup last year due to yellow cards received in two previous first-round fixtures.
Frank Raes, a reporter, notes that Onana’s strength is also his weakness. His aggressive playing style, while effective, can sometimes go too far. This high-risk approach, while showcasing his talent, can also lead to suspensions. Onana is considered indispensable for the Belgian national team, but his tendency to push the boundaries has raised concerns.
Raes suggests that Onana needs to adapt his tough-tackling style to the international stage. European referees may be less lenient than those in England, where such playing styles are more common and accepted.
The recent sending-off should not overshadow Onana’s otherwise excellent performance. As Belgium prepares for the European Championships less than 12 months away, Onana is well-positioned to secure his place on Tedesco’s team sheet. With Axel Witsel past his peak and Youri Tielemans facing challenges at Aston Villa, Onana’s contributions are invaluable to the Belgian national team.
Franky van der Elst, who earned 86 caps for Belgium between 1984 and 1998, acknowledges the issues Onana’s aggressive playing style can create. Van der Elst emphasizes the need for Onana to address these concerns promptly, particularly when it comes to fouls and yellow cards. Adapting his game may be the key to securing a more stable presence on the international stage and fulfilling his potential as a super talent for Belgium.