Everton’s former player and club legend, Michael Ball, did not mince his words as he scrutinized the performance of midfielder Amadou Onana in the recent defeat against West Ham United. Ball expressed his disappointment, accusing Onana of ‘hiding’ during the crucial encounter.
In a column for the Liverpool Echo, Ball highlighted the missed opportunity for Onana to take charge of the game and play a pivotal role in steering Everton to a positive outcome.
Drawing a comparison to Onana’s previous appearance against Manchester City, Ball emphasized the need for the midfielder to showcase his skills, especially against seemingly less formidable opponents like West Ham United.
Ball reminisced about Onana’s proactive approach during the Manchester City clash, noting the player’s eagerness to receive the ball and make an impact against one of the top teams globally.
However, the Everton hero lamented the absence of that assertiveness in the West Ham United fixture.
While acknowledging Onana’s willingness to show for the ball, Ball criticized the lack of proactive decision-making, citing a dearth of forward passes and dynamic runs with the ball.
He urged Onana to seize such opportunities, emphasizing the importance of breaking the lines in midfield to create offensive threats.
In his analysis, Ball observed that West Ham United, unlike some other opponents, did not engage in aggressive pressing, providing an ideal scenario for Onana to influence the game positively.
The Everton legend called for more initiative from players like Onana in crucial moments to elevate the team’s performance.
The critique from Michael Ball serves as a reminder of the expectations and standards associated with representing Everton, urging players to step up and demonstrate their quality, particularly in matches perceived as winnable.
As Everton looks ahead to future challenges, the spotlight remains on individuals like Amadou Onana to rise to the occasion and contribute significantly to the team’s success.
