The biggest transfer news off the mill in the past week has been the protracted move of
Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana from Inter Milan to Manchester United. Onana has definitely
been in the news in recent years for not so good headlines, but his move to the Premier League
comes as a very welcome one. Especially for Africa. Why Africa? One would ask…well, because one
of the most iconic African keepers just left the Premier League – Edouard Mendy, from Chelsea to
Saudi Arabia, where most stars are headed, following the big money promises.
A failed medical at Ajax that saw him serve a lengthy ban, falling out with his national team coach at the World Cup that
saw him sent home early, and just one season at Inter Milan are some of the highlights Onana has
had recently. However, joining Manchester United to replace the departing David De Gea is a big
move for the Cameroonian. If an African XI could be named now, a strong one can be completed and
well tipped by
cheekypunter.com to do well with Onana it.
Ball handling
Let’s see what that would look like. In goal we will definitely have Onana. His ball handling attributes
definitely place him on top of competitors, if any, and his performance in the UEFA Champions
League last season will be remembered for some time. There is a reason Manchester United paid
out $50m for his services. In this lineup, a three-man defence would do. At right-back, while injuries
haven't been kind to him, Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey would fit in any day if fit.
The Ghanaian youngster has found a stable home after leaving Chelsea and he’s been able to prove his mettle. On
the opposite side would be the ever-reliable West Ham United man, Nayef Aguerd. The Moroccan
showed the whole world his abilities at Qatar 2022 and will surely be a starter in such a team. Then
two wrap up the defence, we’d have Liverpool’s Joel Matip. A Cameroonian national, who also fell
out with his national federation, standing tall in a defence that has Onana as the last line of defence
would work well.
Well endowed
In midfield, Africa is well endowed. We’d start with a central midfield pairing of Thomas Partey of
Arsenal, the Ghanaian backed up by Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure from Mali. Said Benrahma, of
West Ham United and Algeria would operate on the left side of midfield as Brentford, and
Cameroon’s Brian Mbeumo operates on the right side. In a three-pronged attack, Egyptian forward
Mohamed Salah will always be a first pick.
The Liverpool forward has been the best from Africa in
attack for years now and would start on the right side. As Wilfred Zaha is leaving Crystal Palace, his
team mate, Jordan Ayew would fit well on the left side, where the Ghanaian can be alternating with
Salah. To lead the attack, we’d go for new Chelsea recruit, Nicholas Jackson. A new arrival from
Villarreal, Jackson has shown his traits in Preseason and the Senegalese forward promises to be a big
hit at the West London side.
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Andre Onana profile