Andre Onana underlined his happiness at Inter, the promise kept by Piero Ausilio and how he feels about playing with the ball at his feet.
The 26-year-old Cameroonian shot stopper officially joined the Nerazzurri at the start of this month after his contract expired with Ajax. He’s been set to make the move for a while, with initial reports detailing Inter’s interest back in the January transfer window. Onana is now expected to be the long-term replacement for the aging Samir Handanovic, who is in the twilight of his career.
Speaking to DAZN, Onana first discussed his initial few weeks with Inter and what he’s noticed so far.
“These first days went well, I’ve learned a lot. I’m happy to be here at this club so close to the players, everything is going very well. I’ve been to Barcelona, to Amsterdam.
“Being here I have noticed many different things but also some that are similar to Spain.”
He touched on what some of the bigger changes have been.
“For me the goalkeeping training, I’m really enjoying it here. Here you see football differently, there is a different way of thinking and I think this’ll help me a lot.”
The 26-year-old gave his initial impressions of the Nerazzurri following his arrival.
“It’s a great club. From the moment I spoke with Piero Ausilio, he immediately gave me his word and he kept it. The talk we had made an impact on me and I was very happy.
“I already knew Inter because of Eto’o, I talked to him before the transfer and he told me, you are a winner, Inter is the right club for you.”
Finally, Onana discussed his ability to play with the ball at his feet and how he could use that with Inter.
“It’s not wrong because in the last 20 years the role has changed, modern goalkeepers take more risks, both with their feet and their hands, they go out of their comfort zone, but every goalkeeper is different, they have their own style.
“I think I’m a goalkeeper who takes a lot of risks, I like to go out, play with my feet, and seeing how my teammates play I think I have come to the right club to improve as a man and as a goalkeeper.
“Us goalkeepers have to make decisions, sometimes you make mistakes, you have to decide whether to go out or not, but that is part of improving, the most important thing is to recognise situations.
“Of course with the quality we have up front with Lautaro, Tucu, I think it’s fortunate for us to be able to count on these players. If I have the opportunity I will be happy to interact directly with them.”
“I’m a goalkeeper who takes a lot of risks, I like to go out, play with my feet ..”
I’m old school and a little worried: I would say that the goalkeeper should mainly focus on making saves .. 🙂