Henry Onyekuru gets new manager at Monaco and a chance for a fresh start at the club
Henry Onyekuru has the chance to impress a new coach at Monaco.
Henry Onyekuru burst into the scene playing some amazing football with Eupen in the Belgian league. Just 19 at that time, Onyekuru tied opposition defences in knots with his pace and goal-scoring ability to get recognised as one of most exciting youngsters in Europe.
He played from the left where he often drove at defenders before coming inside onto his favoured foot to shoot at goal. That season, he pitched in 24 goals and 14 assists for Eupen who quickly cashed in on him.
Everton signed the Nigerian in the summer of 2017 but loaned him out due to his ineligibility to get a work permit. Loan stints at Anderlecht and Galatasaray, Onyekuru has not been able to get near his 2016/2017 level.
His stint at Anderlecht didn’t go as planned. He started well with 10 goals in 28 appearances before a knee ligament injury in December 2017 ruled him out for most of the season. The first season in Turkey with Galatasaray was better as he chipped in 16 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions and played a pivotal role in their league and cup double win.
In the summer of 2019, he decided on a permanent move to Monaco where he struggled. He managed just four games before he returned to Galatasaray on loan again.
In his absence, Monaco didn’t fare well and were ninth on the table when the Ligue 1 season was cancelled leading to the sacking of Robert Moreno.
Former Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac has been appointed as Monaco’s coach which gives Onyekuru a fresh start at the French club. He has left Nigeria via private plane to join Monaco in pre-season and he will be hoping to make a good impression on his new coach to get his chance at the club.
To do that, Onyekuru has to add more to his game. Despite his abilities which he showed in Eupen and some moments at Anderlecht and Galatasaray, Onyekuru has struggled to physically impose himself in games.
His diminutive nature certainly limits him in that aspect, but there are concerns about his work rate and body language especially when his side is out of possession.
Under Kovac, he will need to do more especially with the coach’s promise to introduce 'intense' football at Monaco.
The coach’s preferred 3-5-2 system which he used at Frankfurt shows he prefers to play with wide men. Although he changed formation at Bayern Munich, he still built his attack from the wings.
To catch the eye of Kovac, Onyekuru will have to be more of a winger than a forward. Improve his crossing, work harder without the ball and continue to impress with his pace and technical abilities.
He didn’t get the look under Leonardo Jardim at Monaco and by the time Moreno came on board, Onyekuru was on his way to Galatasaray. Now with a full pre-season, this might be the last chance for the 23-year-old to grab a future at Monaco.
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