Frank Lampard's Relentless Pursuit Paid Off with Aaron Onana Signing
Aaron Amadou Onana has revealed that Frank Lampard was calling him "two, three times a day" before he signed for Everton, highlighting the former Chelsea midfielder's relentless pursuit to bring the promising young player to Goodison Park. Onana, who had impressed at TSG Hoffenheim II, Hamburger SV, and Lille, eventually joined Everton in a £33million deal, impressed by Lampard's illustrious status and reputation as a footballing legend. The 23-year-old midfielder shared his story on The Inside Scoop, crediting Lampard's calls and influence in convincing him to join the Premier League side.
Key Takeaways:
- Frank Lampard called Aaron Onana multiple times a day, convincing him to join Everton, according to Onana.
- Onana cited Lampard's reputation and status as a key factor in his decision to join Everton.
- The £33million transfer deal marked a significant investment by Everton, a testament to Lampard's scouting and negotiation skills.
- Onana believes that playing under Lampard will bring him to the next level in his career.
- Frank Lampard managed Onana at Everton from January 2022 to January 2023, before returning to Chelsea and eventually taking charge of Coventry City.
- Coventry City, under Lampard's management, enjoyed a strong start to the 2023-2024 season, but were defeated in the play-off semi-finals.
- The club is reportedly interested in signing Blackburn midfielder Lewis Travis and Aston Villa centre-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden.
Statistics:
- £33 million: The amount Everton invested in signing Aaron Onana.
- 2022: The year Frank Lampard managed Onana at Everton.
- 2023: The year Graham Potter departed Chelsea, prompting Lampard's return as caretaker.
- 2024: The year Coventry City, under Lampard's management, finished sixth in the Championship.
- 3-2 aggregate: The scoreline in Coventry City's play-off semi-finals defeat to Sunderland.
Sources:
- The Mirror - Byline: Aaron Morris
- The Inside Scoop - Aaron Amadou Onana's interview