Why Andre Onana would be a good fit at Barcelona
According to Spanish media outlet Sport (h/t Sky Sports), Barcelona are eyeing a move for Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana.
With uncertainty surrounding the future of their first-choice custodian Marc-Andre ter Stegen (h/t Daily Mail), the 24-year-old Onana is seen as a potential-replacement by the Catalonian club (h/t Sky Sports).
The young Cameroonian has been impressive for the Dutch giants since the 2016 season and has been a regular starter ever since. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s interest in going after their former youth graduate Onana (h/t Sky Sports) seems like a really appealing move.
Onana had earlier moved to Ajax from Barcelona as a teenager in 2015. He quickly rose through the ranks at Ajax before establishing himself as the side’s first-choice shot-stopper. He also received much acclaim after his impressive displays in the Champions League last year that saw Ajax beat defending champions Real Madrid and cruise into the semi-finals.
Last season, he was the best goalkeeper in the Eredivisie keeping 16 clean sheets from 33 league games. Though Onana has not been as excellent as his displays in between the sticks last season, he has still managed eight clean sheets from 24 league matches this time around.
However, Onana has always managed to be in the top three keepers in the league since his debut season in 2016 which gives a fair idea of the young man’s goalkeeping abilities.
Hence, Barcelona’s interests in the talented shot-stopper (h/t Sky Sports) does not come as a surprise. Meanwhile, German international Ter Stegen has been a standout performer for the Catalonians since his move from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2014.
The Barcelona man has managed just eight clean sheets from 29 games in the league this season though.
Last season he kept an impressive 16 clean sheets and in the season before recorded his best-ever performance in the La Liga with 19 clean sheets. He has been one of the main reasons for Barcelona’s dominance in the domestic league for the past few years and he is their obvious first-choice keeper if he stays.
However, now with his future at Camp Nou remaining uncertain (h/t Daily Mail), the Catalans are left with just one option in back-up man Neto. The Brazilian, however, has made just one league appearance. Considering all this, Onana seems to be the best replacement for Ter Stegen, if the latter chooses to move someplace else.
Read more:
- Why Barcelona should sign Theo Hernandez to improve their defensive options
- Why signing Antoine Griezmann could help Arsenal better their performance next season
- Why Barcelona should keep hold of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen
Verdict
Onana, over the past few years, has proved his consistency at the highest level featuring for Ajax. Hence, he would be a perfect fit at a club like Barcelona if Ter Stegen decides to move on(h/t Daily Mail). Even if he decides to stay, the Cameroonian would be a good future investment for the La Liga giants.
