The deal is all about potential. Hes not a Fabinho or a Guimaraes who can come in with a base level of ability that would give us confidence. Incidentally both of those players i championed for us to sign.
With Onana its a DM whose 6'5 that ticks a lot of boxes...potentially.
As with Patterson, Branthwaite and Gordon with that age you wont get the consistency or peak level...nor would you know exactly what you have.
It would be a player for Lampard to mould and we know hes got a good track record of improving youth.
Aside from.our u23 (now u21) side we dont have any top young midfielders...weve got players around the squad that were brought in who are u21 but not midfield signings.
We also dont NEED him to hit the ground running...he can be eased in.
This is a rebuilding stage.