Amadou Onana has certainly stepped into a leadership role with the Belgian Red Devils since the departure of a number of the so called Golden Generation. The former Everton and current Aston Villa midfielder has been present at plenty of pre match press conferences where he has impressed the Belgian media.
Ahead of Belgium’s clash with Italy this week, Onana was asked about his role as a leader. As reported by Het Nieuwsblad, the 23-year-old said ‘It’s nice to hear that teammates refer to me as a leader. For me that’s something natural and I take that role seriously’. Onana has become an important player under head coach Domenico Tedesco who likes what the midfielder can bring to the team. The imposing central midfielder has played 19 times for the Red Devils. He joined Aston Villa from Everton in the summer, having made 72 appearances for the blue half of Merseyside. Since joining Aston Villa he has played 14 times, scoring three goals.
Belgium are currently third in their Nations League group, five points behind France in second and six points behind Italy in first place.
GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson – Author of The Africa Cup of Nations: The History of an Underappreciated Tournament
