Amadou Onana swapped Lille for Everton in the last transfer window and has featured in every Premier League game for the Merseyside club this season.
Prior to joining the Toffees, the 21-year-old made his debut for Belgium in June. He was also included in Roberto Martinez’s squad for September’s international break.
The Everton player is in contention to make it to De Rode Duivels’ final list for the World Cup.
RTBF journalist Pierre Deprez had a detailed chat with the midfielder, where he discussed the possibility of missing out on a place in the Belgium squad for the FIFA tournament.
“If I have certainties about my presence in the 26? I never have certainties. There are never any in football. Hope, I always have some. It’s up to me to do the job on the pitch. It will go through my performance here at Everton, to achieve a place in the group in Qatar. It is a clear objective for me,” he said.
“If I have more chances to be in Qatar thanks to my start to the season? Yes, I agree, given my performances. From week to week, I am improving. I hope the coach will share this opinion. If I am not selected? It will be a disappointment, clearly. I have worked for months, years to get there. I will give my best, we will see.
Frank Lampard’s side are scheduled to play four matches [three league matches] before the break for the World Cup. Onana is likely to start in all those league ties and wants to avoid any injury setbacks before the World Cup.
“Everyone is afraid of injury. Every top athlete is afraid of injury because it’s a time when you can’t do what you love,” Onana explained.
“Watching other people play from the bench is the worst thing. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to slow down. I’m going to go for it 100% and if something has to happen, well, I hope not.”
Onana has been vital for Everton this campaign and will be hoping his performances are sufficient to convince Martinez to include him in the final list for Qatar.
