Orel Mangala, currently on loan at Everton from Lyon, has revealed how advice from Amadou Onana influenced his decision to join the club.
The midfielder, who arrived in the summer transfer window, has already become a key figure for the Toffees, featuring in every Premier League game since the opener and completing 90 minutes in the last two fixtures.
While reports suggest Everton are keen to make Mangala’s stay permanent, there is no option to buy included in the loan agreement, as confirmed by a recent Lyon document.
Despite the uncertainty, Mangala seems content at Goodison Park and credits fellow Belgian international Onana for providing valuable insight before his move.
What Amadou Onana Told Orel Mangala About Everton:
Onana, who joined Everton in August 2022 for £33 million, made 72 appearances for the club, scoring four goals and providing three assists before moving to Aston Villa.
Speaking to Liverpool Echo, Mangala recalled how Onana’s comments played a part in shaping his decision to head to Merseyside.
“I spoke to Amadou (Onana) a few days before coming here and he told me good things about Everton. I already knew that Everton is a big club, so I had a good feeling about it.
“He’s a good guy and before he signed for Everton, he also spoke to me. I know that he enjoyed his time here and he spoke about the fans, the club and how everything was good.”
Onana’s Reflections After Leaving Everton
However, Onana’s more recent comments about his time at Everton have sparked frustration among some fans.
The midfielder, now at Aston Villa, praised the impact of Villa manager Unai Emery on his development, contrasting it with his time on Merseyside.
“Unai has added a lot to my game. I think I am a completely different player if you compare it to last season at Everton. He has added bits to my game which I didn’t have before.
“I am really, really grateful and thankful for that. My start has been good, but it could have been better. I can still improve on different aspects and parts of my game. I am learning day by day. The manager is one of the best in the business. I am looking forward to continue working with him on a daily basis.”
While Onana reflects on his progression at Villa, Everton fans will hope Mangala can make a similar impact at Goodison Park during his loan spell.
