Everton may have strengthened well all across the board this summer, but there is one clear standout signing from this window’s activity which fans cannot wait to see in action.
Snagging Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille after a tough first campaign in France, the 24-year-old comes to the Toffees with a real point to prove, and a hunger that should see him thrive in the Premier League.
Only small in stature, he remains a strong player with a low centre of gravity, able to glide with the ball at his feet and pose a threat both striking the ball and creating for others.
However, his start to life at Everton has not been easy, reduced to a mere substitute appearance in his side’s opening-day defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion last Saturday.
Iliman Ndiaye outlines his Everton plans
Speaking to Everton’s official website, the Senegal International has since sat down to speak in length about his career, and what has now led him to Merseyside.
A brilliant story that has most recently resulted in a £15m move to Goodison Park, Ndiaye has been keen to outline his qualities to the fanbase, tempering expectations, but also heightening them with his talk of hard work and skills.
In fact, he has already noticed one thing about Evertonians despite their opening-day defeat to Brighton, as he claimed: ‘I see some similarities [between Everton and Marseille]. They are two huge clubs, historic clubs with their own stories. Football is such a huge thing in the two areas and to the supporters of both clubs.
‘I have only been here for a short time but you can see already how Evertonians get behind their players, even in pre-season. I am learning more things about Everton every day and that’s something I’ve been keen to do, of course. But, above all, I just can’t wait to get out there and play and contribute.
‘I feel like I’m suited to what the manager wants. From very early on in my career, I was told to do the hard work first and the rest will follow. I’ve stuck by that. I think that’s the same kind of philosophy here – everyone works hard and every player brings their own qualities and attributes to make it a full performance. You have to bring your own piece to it – for me, I can bring my skills, scoring goals, making assists, plus the hard work for each other.’
Should Sean Dyche start Iliman Ndiaye vs Spurs?
There has been a real clamour, especially since their 3-0 loss to the Seagulls, to see the new signings swiftly integrated.
This has been a notion swiftly shut down by Sean Dyche though, claiming that he only wants to hand them game time when they are deemed ready for the Premier League.
So, Jesper Lindstrom and Jake O’Brien were both unused substitutes on the weekend, whilst Ndiaye was handed an unforgiving role off the bench just before Ashley Young was sent off.
Tim Iroegbunam impressed as the sole starter from this summer’s recruitment drive.
However, if any of the others are to warrant a start, it’s surely Ndiaye.
Especially when considering that Abdoulaye Doucoure, aside from his physicality, offers little else to compete with the former Sheffield United magician.
They will almost definitely be starved of possession against Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday, and having someone of this quality, capable of pulling out some magic, provides their only real chance of stealing a result.
He must start on Saturday.
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