Iliman Ndiaye names forward Everton tried to sign in 2012 as his footballing idol

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Iliman Ndiaye has been a revelation and Everton fans might compare him to his footballing idol who the Toffees tried to sign in 2012.

If David Moyes had Ndiaye at his disposal at the moment they’d more than likely be in a better position then they already are.

The Sengalese forward has been an excellent piece of business for the departing Kevin Thelwell as it could be argued Ndiaye saved Thelwell’s job at one stage.

Of course, this has proven not enough with Thelwell leaving Everton but Ndiaye has a big future under Moyes.

The 25-year-old is certainly in the running for player of the season, and the player he idolises explains exactly where he gets his ability from.

Everton’s Ndiaye names Eden Hazard and Didier Drogba his idols

Ndiaye has proven to be a bargain at £20m, and it will be hard for the new backroom team at Everton to recreate that.

No doubt Moyes will have a plan up his sleeve to do so, and judging by Ndiaye’s idol, they could probably learn a thing or two from the winger.

Ndiaye could return soon for Everton, but the Toffees boss will want to tread lightly regarding his race to return to fitness.

Well, injured or not, Ndiaye is at the club, which is the main thing, and the key reason for this was Chelsea legend Eden Hazard.

Speaking to BBC Sport in August, Ndiaye said: “Personally for me, it is the best league in the world. Everyone dreams of being in the Premier League.

“It is not easy to get to it. I know a lot of players whose aim was to play there, but it hasn’t happened yet.

“I watch football, I live football, I eat football – when I was young, I used to be a fan of Chelsea. I watched Eden Hazard and Didier Drogba, and it was amazing watching them play.”

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Everton tried to sign Eden Hazard from Lille in 2012 under David Moyes

Extraordinarily, Hazard may never have become a Chelsea icon and could’ve instead played under Moyes.

The fact that the Everton manager even tried to look into signing the Belgium speaks volumes about who the Scotsman could sign at Everton this time around.

But Hazard would’ve been too expensive for Everton, meaning a deal never came to fruition, but what could’ve been.

Ndiaye has kind of brought the Hazard-factor to Everton anyway, as Evertonians will be hoping he stays on Merseyside for years to come.