Ajax midfielder Zakaria Labyad has said that new Inter signing Andre Onana is one of the top five goalkeepers in the world, according to a report in the Italian media.
Speaking during an interview with TMW, the Moroccan midfielder gave a glowing assessment of the Cameroonian goalkeeper who had his move to Inter announced officially on Friday afternoon.
He made a bold claim by saying that Andre Onana is one of the best goalkeepers in world football right now.
“André is one of the people I respect the most in football, a humble guy and a good person, as well as the best goalkeeper I have ever played with. For me Onana today is one of the top five goalkeepers in the world.”
The goalkeeper is not necessarily going to be the number one straight away and will be competing with Samir Handanovic for the place. Zakaria Labyad certainly thinks he can do it.
“Absolutely yes, Onana has all the qualities to be Inter’s number one right from the start. I don’t know Handanovic that well, but I know that André will have no problem becoming a starter in his new adventure. I told you, he is among the best five on the planet in my opinion.”
Zakaria Labyad also revealed a bit more about Andre Onana’s character: “A person who is always calm, that’s what amazes me about him: Onana is good at keeping his nerves even in situations of greatest pressure. He is a fighter, who wants to improve every day, but who never loses his concentration.”
In terms of what technical characteristics have impressed him the most, Labyad pointed out his reflexes.
“He has the fastest reflexes and reaction times I have ever seen in his career. He is also very critical of himself, which allows him to continuously work on his technical flaws to quickly turn them into virtues.”
He also has a lot of confidence that Andre Onana will not struggle to settle into Italian football.
“I don’t think so, Onana is a goalkeeper who interprets his role in a very modern way. He will know how to fit into Inter’s game straight away and, above all, how to make himself immediately liked by his new teammates.”