CHELSEA have made the signing of a goalkeeper a priority after £72million Kepa Arrizabalaga’s disastrous tenure between the sticks at Stamford Bridge.
Their chief transfer target is £30million-rated Ajax NO1 Andre Onana, according to reports.
Chelsea have made Ajax star Andre Onana a transfer target this summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Charitable Onana has a foundation and provided electricity for his mum’s village in CameroonCredit: Instagram / @foundation_andreonana
The Cameroon international was a revelation in the club’s Champions League run to the semi finals in 2019.
And the 24-year-old has made sure he’s shared the wealth accrued from his fame with his homeland.
Last week, it was reported that Onana uses part of his salary to fund an electric grid that provides electricity for a small African town.
He began his youth career at Barcelona, but annoyed the Catalan giants when he snubbed an offer of a contract to join Ajax at 18.
The decision was clearly the correct one, though, as Onana has gone on to become one of Europe’s most sought-after keepers.
CHARITABLE CAUSE
Born in Cameroon, it wasn’t Onana’s intention to support his mother’s hometown Mengueme.
But, having signed a new £20,000-per-week contract last year, he decided he had to give something back.
Onana put his money to good use, funding a power grid that provides electricity for the Essoessam population.
He, literally, took the people of Menguene out of darkness and curbed their reliance on kerosene lamps.
The £20,000-per-week Onana funded a power grid in MengueneCredit: Instagram / @andreonana.24
The Andre Onana Foundation was set-up in 2016 to help young African childrenCredit: Instagram / @andreonana.24
And that’s not his only charitable contribution.
In 2016, Onana set up his foundation to help young African children, providing them means to a better education, giving them access to medical care, as well as help to those affected by terrorist attacks.
“I know first-hand what many children in my country are suffering,” he revealed.
“Inside me I feel that I must help them to have a better future.”
IMPORTANCE OF SAMUEL ETO’O
Onana’s success is partly down to former Barcelona star Samuel Eto’o.
A prodigy of the legendary striker’s academy in the Cameroon, he linked up with the La Masia Academy at 14.
“I’m very thankful for what he did for me coming from his foundation,” Onana told OmaSportsTV.
But it didn’t quite work out for Onana in Catalonia.
In 2014, Barcelona were hit by a FIFA ban for breaking the rules of signing foreign youngsters.
That meant Barça youngsters had their development halted because they couldn’t play any competitive games for 18-months.
Legendary Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o’s Academy discovered OnanaCredit: AP:Associated Press
At 14, Onana moved to Barcelona Credit: Instagram / @andreonana.24
However, Onana failed to get a break at BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
When he returned, playing for Barcelona against Ajax in an Under-19 UEFA Youth League game, he won man-of-the-match and alerted Ajax’s coaching staff.
FRUSTRATION
At 18, Onana grew frustrated with his chances at the Camp Nou.
He was adamant he belonged in Barcelona’s B team, and saw a path to the first team blocked with the arrivals of Claudio Bravo and Marc Andre ter Stegen that summer.
There was only one thing to do.
Barcelona offered him a contract, but Ajax’s sales pitch was more attractive. He moved to Amsterdam to develop his game further, much to the annoyance of Spanish legend Andoni Zubizaretta.
And when first-team keeper Jasper Cillessen moved in 2016, ironically to Barcelona, manager Peter Bosz decided 20-year-old Onana was going to be his NO1.
CHANCES HAMPERED
Although a dream move to the Premier League is in the offing, Onana’s chances of progressing to a bigger club could’ve happened sooner.
After moving to Ajax at 18 Onana established himself as Ajax’s NO1 two years laterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Onana was once told that the colour of his skin would be a problem for a big clubCredit: Instagram / @andreonana.24
After a breakthrough season in 2016-17, helping Ajax reach the Europa League final, an unknown club began negotiations with him.
However, the shot-stopper revealed he was told that the colour of his skin would be a problem for fans and the move was quashed.
“It is not easy for a black goalkeeper to reach the top,” Onana told Dutch outlet Het Parool, with the quotes also carried by Marca.
“They decided not to sign me because a black goalkeeper would be difficult for their followers.
“It wasn’t because they didn’t think I was good enough. I consider it a compliment.”
That club’s loss could certainly be Chelsea’s gain.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
