Pundit’s Take: Premier League Teams Developing Blueprint to Neutralize Everton Star After Recent Events
Joe Thomas suggests Premier League teams have figured out how to neutralize Everton star Iliman Ndiaye on the wing.
Since joining Everton from Marseille this summer, the 24-year-old Iliman Ndiaye has contributed only two goals in the Premier League, but his ball-handling skills have kept fans optimistic.
However, in Everton’s 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Saturday, November 2, Ndiaye was substituted after just 62 minutes, unable to significantly challenge Kyle Walker-Peters on the left wing.
Speaking on the Royal Blue podcast on YouTube (November 4), Thomas commented, “Ndiaye can play on the left, but opponents can neutralize Everton’s best player because he’s limited to going one way.
Kenny Tete did this effectively for Fulham, giving Southampton a strategy they followed well this weekend, aided by a tough tackle from Kyle Walker-Peters.”
Everton may be misusing Ndiaye’s talents on the left flank.
Sean Dyche has multiple attacking options, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dwight McNeil, and Ndiaye consistently making the lineup.
Yet, Ndiaye’s goal tally remains underwhelming, though his dribbling and creativity are impressive on the field.
With Calvert-Lewin’s scoring form faltering again, Everton is struggling to score, relying on goals from Beto and Michael Keane in recent matches.
Ndiaye has proven to be more effective in a central role, as shown by his 14 league goals for Sheffield United in the 2022/23 season.
Moving him there, however, would mean benching Dyche’s favored forward.
Despite Beto’s better form—having a goal disallowed against Southampton and narrowly missing another—Calvert-Lewin remains in the starting lineup.
To maximize Ndiaye’s impact, Dyche may need to reconsider his tactics or formation, as the Senegalese international has struggled to make a substantial impact on the left wing.
