Everton’s Amadou Onana was subject to criticism after being sent off in Belgium’s 3-2 win over Austria in the European qualifiers last Friday. This has resulted in the 22-year-old being suspended for De Rode Duivels’ clash against Sweden later today.
The midfielder has made nine appearances for the national team and has already received three yellow cards and one red card so far.
Anderlecht defender Jan Vertonghen has asked the Everton player not to drop the aggressiveness from his game, and his quotes are relayed by De Standaard.
“Onana sometimes has to be a bit smarter and try to take fewer cards, but he’s very important for our game. We really need his aggressiveness; he must not lose that aspect. You have to ask the coach about the other work points,” he said.
The Belgium international arrived at the Merseyside club from Lille in 2022 and has picked up 10 yellow cards from 45 games for the Toffees.
Despite receiving several warnings and a sending off while with Belgium, Domenico Tedesco has urged the Everton star to not change his game. In fact, the national team manager believes Onana was unlucky to be sent off against Austria.
“Amadou Onana is an aggressive number 6 and that’s exactly what we need. I’m not going to ask him to change his approach. If I tell you not to think about a pink elephant, you will think about it. It’s the same if I tell him not to take a yellow card,” Tedesco explained, as relayed by RTBF.
“He risks changing his behaviour, perhaps he will do a little less. He’s young, he can learn to play despite a yellow card. On his second card, he was unlucky. He plays the ball and then touches the opponent’s foot.”
Onana’s absence for Belgium today will allow him to get extra rest ahead of Everton’s upcoming clash against Liverpool on Saturday.
