In an interview that first appeared in the Official Matchday Programme for Everton's home clash with Manchester City, Amadou Onana sat down to discuss his unique journey to the Club and the role of key family members in it. The midfielder also opens up on his desire to reward Everton fans, and details his ambitions to add more strings to his footballing bow…

As Everton’s players began to head back to the dressing room after thanking the 2,283 jubilant Evertonians for their unrivalled support inside Turf Moor following the 2-0 win against Burnley, it was Amadou Onana who was to further underline the growing bond between the squad and fans that manager Sean Dyche has often said is so crucial.

It was a significant contest for the midfielder, who made his first Blues start for more than a month after recovering from a calf issue, and he marked the occasion with the opening goal which set the Toffees on their way to a fourth successive Premier League win.

Prior to heading back down the tunnel, an animated Onana strode towards the travelling Evertonians before embracing their joy and yielding a deafening cheer from the away end.

Despite still being just 22, Onana is developing into an influential figure under Sean Dyche, and his post-match celebrations with teammates show the ever-growing bond between the Blues’ squad and supporters.

“For me, that is our way of saying thank you to the committed fans of this club. We have a lot of affection for them,” the midfielder says with a smile as he sits down for this interview with the Official Matchday Programme at Finch Farm.

“These people are travelling to come and watch us and people are paying a lot of money to buy a ticket, just to come and see us, so that at the end is our way of giving back and saying thank you - that connection with them means a lot.

“It’s very special because I feel the love they have for us. I can’t really describe it but, for example, at Burnley, I scored, and they were singing my name straight away. The same when we put in big tackles - it gives me chills.

“I watched the videos the Club posted on social media, and I was like: ‘Wow, this is very, very special’. We appreciate that love.”

That first-half headed effort at Turf Moor was Onana’s first goal of this Premier League campaign, and his third across all competitions since arriving on Merseyside from French club Lille in August 2022.

Much of the Belgium international’s best work comes in deeper areas of the pitch. His physical prowess makes him an ideal destroyer of opposition attacks, and he’s comfortable receiving the ball inside Everton’s half, evading pressure before finding a way to progress the Blues further up the pitch.

On a per 90 basis and for all players who have accumulated at least 500 league minutes, he ranks third in the Everton squad this season for the highest number of tackles won (1.62) and second for the most progressive passes completed (4.53).

Yet for the highly ambitious Onana, the deep-lying nature of his role in Dyche’s side doesn’t halt his desire for attacking returns.

“I think about scoring a lot,” he reveals. “Playing deeper definitely suits me, but I strive to be that player who can do it all one day. So, although I know it’s not my role (to score goals), I still feel like I want to be different than any other midfield player. If I want to be different, then that is important.

“I’ve got to add more goals to my game and be an all-round package. I strive to be the best player I can be and the best version of myself. I feel like I’m not scared of taking responsibility because it’s part of who I am, my character and my personality. If you want to be a top player you’ve got to do them things and that’s what I’m aiming for.

“But I think my season has been good overall so far. I feel like I’ve stepped up my game. Little things like showing more control. I picked up nine yellow cards last season, but I’ve received just one so far. That recent injury took me out for four weeks and I missed being out there. I’m glad I could work my way back into the team - I’m very happy right now.”

Onana cuts an energetic and positive presence, and his demeanour can be infectious around Finch Farm and at Goodison Park on matchdays. He’s also extremely bright - a speaker of five languages - and exudes a maturity way beyond what you’d expect from a 22-year-old.

But then the midfielder’s journey hasn’t been typical of someone his age.

Born in Dakar - the capital of Senegal - Onana grew up sharing a large house with 14 members of his family. His mum moved him and his sister to Belgium - where his dad lived - at 11 to open the door for more opportunities for the youngster to pursue his football dream.

“My mum sacrificed her life for our dreams, he explains. “Because we were the ones who wanted to move to Belgium for different reasons, school and football for me. She had to give up her dreams to make ours a reality. She is an inspiration to me.”

While Onana’s mum played a pivotal role in helping open more doors in her son’s early journey, as his football potential came to the forefront in his adolescent years, it was his sister, Melissa, who provided the support to allow Onana to recognise that promise.

“She is the one who supported me and has been there my whole career, from the age of 12 or 13,” said Onana. “She came to every game, whether it was freezing, raining or sunny, she always came through.

“She started recording me on the pitch which was how I got the trial at Hoffenheim. Because of all that, she played a crucial part in my life. It’s a crazy story.”

When Onana was handed the trial with Hoffenheim, his sister was being treated for cancer. Yet despite the ongoing treatment, and sickness that came with it, Melissa remained committed to facilitating his journey.

Melissa is now her brother’s agent, and Onana admits he uses the moments of bravery and sacrifice exhibited by both his sister and mother - who now suffers the effects of Myasthenia gravis, a long-term condition that causes weakness of the skeletal muscles - as motivation.

“It was a tough journey looking back to it,” the Blues’ number eight recalls. “But I am glad we made it here. That journey just shows how strong she is as a woman. These are the moments I use as fuel to keep me going.”

Asked whether his testing beginning in life had helped him better cope with the trials and tribulations of being a professional footballer - especially during what was a tumultuous first year at Everton – Onana responds: “Yes, I have never spoken to anyone who said it makes sense that I’m just 22. People always assume I am older. I guess I’ve been through a lot for my age.

“But I’m glad I went through all those things at such a young age because I feel like I developed faster than others and I can face things better.

“The first year in the Premier League is tough for any player - this is the best league in the world. Before I arrived, I’d been playing with different things at stake. What I mean by that is when I went to Hamburg, we were playing to be promoted to the first division. When we went to Lille we were playing in the Champions League, it was a different environment.

“I came to Everton and we were battling relegation. Suddenly, in the last game of the season, we are still struggling and not sure if we are going to stay in the Premier League or not. Throughout last season, I was saying in my head, ‘I can’t be part of the team that takes this massive club down’ - I’m glad we made it.

“I enjoy pressure, though, and I feel like as a man, I have learnt a lot about controlling my emotions. Pressure, from clubs, teammates, fans - I have grown a lot. It has made me a better man, I think.”

Even taking into account the decision from a Premier League commission to impose a 10-point deduction on the Club last month, there’s been a very different feeling around Everton this season under boss Dyche, affirmed by the team’s fine form in response to that verdict.

“I have said since I arrived that I have enjoyed every second as an Everton player,” explains Onana. “But right now, it’s next level here. Everyone knows their task in the team, and I feel like there is a real team spirit that we’ve built this year - I couldn’t really feel that in the first half of last year. It feels different stepping onto the pitch because it feels like I’m on the pitch with 10 others who will go to war for me.

“It’s definitely more enjoyable this season, with the results being positive - the environment is just healthier. I feel like everyone in the team has just stepped up a level and you can see that week in and week out.”

Going into Christmas, Everton had re-established a healthy gap between themselves and the relegation zone thanks to their fine form this past month, and, without the deduction - which is still under appeal - Dyche’s men would have been mixing it in the top half of the table.

Onana believes that is clear evidence of the progression having been made this season and is confident that, under this regime, the Club is on the right track.

The midfielder also recognises he is getting closer to achieving his own personal Everton vow which was made when he arrived on Merseyside nearly 18 months ago.  

“I am enjoying life under this manager,” adds Onana. “His impact on the group is clear, and there are certain aspects of my game that he has definitely taken to that level. He calls it the ‘ugly side’ of the game. I really got to understand what he meant by that, and it helped me so much on the pitch. He has brought my game on a lot.

“When I first came here, I did an interview and said I came with a goal - I want to bring this club back to where it belongs. For me, that starts with being in the right half of the table. If it wasn’t for those 10 points being deducted, we would been up there going into the Christmas fixtures. 

“I know how much this club means to so many people, and being here has given me so much personally. I’ve captained the national team as an Everton player and I’m playing regularly in the best most intense league in the world.

“We’re on the right track now, but it’s not mission accomplished yet.”