Despite the points deduction, Everton were able to avoid relegation, finishing 15th in the Premier League and 14 points above the relegation zone.
A big factor in that was Belgium international Amadou Onana, who made 30 Premier League appearances last campaign, scoring three goals and providing one assist.
His defensive prowess and athleticism enabled Sean Dyche and his side to keep eight clean sheets when Onana was in the team, helping them to safety.
Everton can sign a replacement for Onana
Everton are preparing a move for Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi when he becomes a free agent later this month, according to reports from Football Insider.
The 27-year-old is out of contract on June 30 and has rejected a new deal with the Foxes, leaving Everton open to a move for the Nigeria international.
Ndidi could prove to be a smart replacement for the highly-rated Onano, whose signature is being sought by many fans in the Premier League.
How does Ndidi compare to Onana
The Nigerian, once described by a former professional as “the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League”, spent last season in the Championship with Leicester, helping them to the title and promotion back to the top flight.
Ndidi made 36 appearances in all competitions for the Foxes, scoring six goals, providing six assists and contributing to 14 clean sheets. However, the situation was a bit different for Ndidi under Leicester manager Enzo Maresca in his first season at the club.
Despite being a defensive midfielder (number six) for most of his career, Maresca deployed Harry Winks deeper into the middle to orchestrate play for his side, meaning Ndidi effectively took on more of a number eight role in the box.
Onana also has the ability and athleticism to play as a middle outside linebacker, but both players have made a name for themselves with their defensive quality and ability to cover the field.
Ndidi made just 1.57 clearances per 90 for Leicester last season, but that was the eighth in the Championship in the role. If you compare his numbers from the 2022/23 Premier League season as a more defensive-minded midfielder, he made 3.26 clearances per 90.
Compared to Onano, he made 3.06 tackles per 90 and played a similar role for a club at a similar level in the bottom half of the Premier League. The Belgian also won 2.24 air jumps per 90, made 1.08 blocks per 90 and 0.9 interceptions per 90.
Again, if we compare Ndidi’s stats from the championship season (2023/24), he was worse than Onana’s metrics, winning 1.31 aerials per 90, making 0.85 blocks per 90 and 1.14 interceptions per 90 (so this stat actually beat Onana’s corresponding number in that).
However, if we compare Ndidi’s numbers in the Premier League (2022/2023), he got 1.34 clearances per 90, made 1.71 blocks per 90 and 2.03 interceptions per 90. These metrics show that Ndidi is capable of making defensive moves for your side in this role. , which match or better many of Onana’s numbers.
Both players have a similar build and while Onana is much younger and has the ability to improve further technically on top of his already special physical profile, the Foxes midfielder offers great value and could be a smart move to replace him.