Everton Set to Sign ‘Elite’ Player Compared to Sadio Mane
Iliman Ndiaye is nearing a move to Everton after impressing at Sheffield United.
Everton-bound Iliman Ndiaye has been tipped to become an ‘elite’ player, and he is closing in on a move to Goodison Park from Marseille. Ndiaye is set to be the Blues’ third signing of the summer, following Tim Iroegbunam’s £9 million transfer from Aston Villa and Jack Harrison’s return on loan from Leeds United.
Ndiaye might have joined Everton a year ago, having had the choice between Merseyside and Marseille last summer. His transfer to the French side was earned after a spectacular 2022-23 season at Sheffield United, where he scored 15 goals and provided 12 assists, playing a crucial role in their promotion to the Premier League.
However, Ndiaye’s stint at Marseille was less impressive, with only four goals and five assists in 46 appearances. Despite this, Ndiaye has demonstrated his quality, and at 24, he still has several years before reaching his peak.
The 22-cap Senegal international will join his compatriot Idrissa Gana Gueye at Everton. Ndiaye has also drawn comparisons to fellow Senegalese player Sadio Mane. Mane enjoyed eight successful years in the Premier League, mainly at Liverpool, where he won six major trophies, including the Champions League and Premier League. If Ndiaye follows a similar path, Everton will have secured a top-class player, a sentiment echoed by his former Sheffield United teammate, Chris Basham.
Basham told journalist Alan Briggs: “Every day in training he’s hard to play against. He uses his body so well, his feet are so fast, and he’s powerful.
“He’s going to be elite – it’s just whether it’s going to be with Sheff United. He’s learning very well, his finishing is good. It can be better at times, but he’s 20, maybe younger.
“He’s scoring some outrageous goals in training – the boys just buzz off how good he is. It’s great and a privilege to have him in our side.
“You know every game…I said in the Premier League, the hardest person I ever had to play against was Mane. He [Ndiaye] will be up there for sure, he’s from the same country as well, he produces the same type of quality. He’s going to be right up there. Credit to his family and himself more than anything for doing what he’s done.”
