Amadou Onana visited the site of the new Everton Stadium this week and admitted he was “blown away” by the progress of the stunning dockside development.
The midfielder revealed his excitement about performing at the Blues’ new home and set out his goal to play a key role in a successful Everton future.
Construction work at Everton Stadium is continuing at pace, with the framework continuing to rise into the north Liverpool skyline.
Asked about the prospect of stepping out at a world-class arena in front of more than 50,000 Evertonians, Onana said: “That’s the goal. Definitely, it is my ambition to play here.
“It looks amazing so I’m very much looking forward to that day. I want to help bring Everton back to where the Club belongs.
“I’m completely blown away [by the stadium]. It looks fantastic. I can’t believe how fast it is growing!”
Onana joined Everton from Lille this summer and explained how the deep connection he has quickly formed with his teammates and supporters “is like nothing I’ve ever felt before”.
The 21-year-old set out his hunger to repay Evertonians' unstinting support with performances and results on the field.
“When I play football, it’s almost for the fans,” he added. “Everyone is so passionate here. They sleep, breathe and eat Everton.
“The bond I have with them is quite special.
“I just let that sink in and it is an extra drive for us as players. They have had a big role in the successes we’ve had, so thank you to them
“I’m just trying to give back what they give us and show the affection I have for them.”
Read further key points from Onana’s wide-ranging interview below…
Onana on learning from Frank Lampard…
I like the manager’s idea of football and his vision. We do specific drills on the training pitch on where I can improve.
We spend a lot of time analysing sequences of the games. He is giving me advice on my positioning, how to be decisive, when to get in the box. I am looking for my first goal and I am working on my finishing.
On watching footage of Lampard in action and how the manager’s quality is still evident on the training field…
He had a great career. He is an English legend. I have watched the Premier League ever since I was young, and if you talk about the Premier League, you have to mention his name.
On the training pitch, he is still very good. He doesn’t really want to show it, because he’s not a show-off guy! He could be, ‘Look I’m Frank Lampard, this is what I did’. He is humble guy, speaking with us normally and respectfully.
I have watched his clips, his goals. I watch them regularly. If I had his shooting ability, I’d be a very good player!
On how he has settled in at Everton…
Everyone has helped me since I joined. My teammates have been brilliant, everyone at the Club have taken care of me.
The team spirit is great at the moment, the way we stick together in every game. I feel at home here.
I am living on my own, but my family is only one hour away [on a flight] in Brussels. My family have come to watch games and been blown away by the reception at Goodison.
On the confidence Everton will take from their previous game at Goodison – a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace – going into Saturday’s clash with Leicester City…
That match showed we have quality in this team. We have very experienced players and young players, too. I believe we have the perfect mix.
We have been working very well all week long. Leicester are a very good team, but we have prepared well.
On his fluent English and being able to speak five languages…
Honestly, if you ask me how I learned English, I couldn’t answer! I think it was just through TV shows, music, and things like that.
I think languages was just my thing. I’m trying to learn Spanish now, because that is one of the missing ones!
On a social media clip of him dancing with Alex Iwobi…
We didn’t want to make a big thing! It just went viral! Alex is very good guy and helped me a lot in my first weeks.
It is just a really group of lads, who are willing to help each other and stick together. I’ve never had this before, so it feels very special.
