Everton’s season has been a tough one already, but there have been a few shining lights to keep the fanbase invested.
Naturally, Dwight McNeil has been a standout for Everton manager Sean Dyche with his goalscoring and creativity reaching an all-time high, but it is Iliman Ndiaye who is really capturing the hearts of Goodison Park.
As a new acquisition, he came in during a really tough spell, but he has enthralled with a pace and trickery that Evertonians have not seen for some time.
And now, Phil Jagielka has paid him a huge compliment.
Phil Jagielka compares Iliman Ndiaye to Everton cult hero
Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage of Everton’s Saturday afternoon match, Jagielka was effusive in his praise for Iliman Ndiaye.
Signed for just £17m this summer, the Senegal international has taken no time at all to endear himself to the Goodison Park faithful, with an unrelenting work rate and a bag of tricks to boot.
And now, just after Jagielka suggested Leighton Baines should come out of retirement, he then compared Ndiaye to another former teammate of his.
The 42-year-old noted: ‘I think at the top end of the pitch it’s getting that way [that Everton are getting enough out of him]. We spoke about McNeil as well, bringing him in from the width, getting him involved as much as he can because when he does get the ball he puts the ball through on goal.
‘With Iliman, he does love the ball at his feet. He is so creative and so… he’s like a futsal player.
‘I played with Iliman and he’s so comfortable. He plays like he’s in a school playground, he wants the ball. He doesn’t want to embarrass the defender but look, he’s more than happy. Look, he’s waiting, he’s looking for a nutmeg. His ball manipulation is good.
‘We spoke off air, but he is very similar to when I played with Stevie Pienaar. He was so comfortable in tight areas. He would back himself nine times out of ten and more often than not he’d get a foul.’
Iliman Ndiaye in good company with Steven Pienaar comparison
It’s certainly good company to keep for Ndiaye, to already be compared to someone of Steven Pienaar’s stature.
After all, the South African remains one of Goodison Park’s most well-remembered players in recent memory, as a skilful wide man who combined spectacularly with Leighton Baines, another Everton hero.
And although he was never the most prolific, as Ndiaye threatens to also suffer from, what he offers elsewhere is invaluable.
Pienaar’s best goalscoring campaign came in the 2012/13 season, when he recorded 12 goal contributions in the Premier League, six goals and six assists.
Already the former Sheffield United forward has proven that his ceiling could so easily surpass that, having hit 14 and assisted ten more during his final full campaign in the English Championship.
If a similarly impactful a legacy as Pienaar did, Ndiaye will likely be content with his tenure with the Toffees.
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