Opinion: Everton star hints he plans to stay at the club next season
Everton fans have quickly embraced Iliman Ndiaye since his summer arrival, and he's hinted at staying beyond this season.
Sean Dyche’s summer recruitment for Everton has yet to yield significant results, with only a few signings proving effective, particularly the acquisition of Iliman Ndiaye, which stands out as a smart piece of business.
Fans are eager to see more of Jake O’Brien, but so far, Dyche has only given him 26 minutes in the Premier League this season.
Armando Broja is still recovering from injury, and Asmir Begovic seems to be playing more of a behind-the-scenes role rather than contributing on the field.
Tim Iroegbunam and Orel Mangala have had decent performances, but neither has been particularly outstanding.
Meanwhile, Jesper Lindstrom has faced criticism, with former Everton player Michael Ball calling him out for a lack of effort and complaining earlier in the season.
Dyche has also been open about Lindstrom’s struggles.
Iliman Ndiaye’s Promise and Strong Start
Iliman Ndiaye, one of Dyche’s few standout signings, has made an immediate impact.
He scored his third goal of the season with a composed finish against Ipswich Town over the weekend.
Ndiaye has quickly become a fan favorite, even earning a new chant in his honor, which he enjoys singing along to.
While Everton fans will hope to hold on to Ndiaye, his strong performances could attract interest from other clubs.
However, Ndiaye is focused on the present, and his commitment to Everton is clear, having made a special promise to his daughter about the club’s future.
According to Liverpool Echo, Ndiaye expressed his desire to be the first player to score at Everton’s new stadium.
He said, “Someone mentioned to me, ‘Imagine scoring the first goal at the new stadium.’
It would be a quiz question for ages—’Who scored the first goal at Everton’s new stadium?’ My daughter, who can’t talk yet, said ‘Dada!’ That’s my target.”
Ndiaye also shared his excitement about being part of Everton’s final season at Goodison Park, acknowledging the history of the ground and his pride in contributing to the club’s future.
He looks forward to thrilling fans at the new stadium, where he aims to continue making an impact.
Exciting Times Ahead for Everton
Ndiaye is not the only Everton player excited about the new stadium.
Dwight McNeil has also expressed his anticipation, even stating that he looks forward to the stadium more than the upcoming club takeover.
Fans were recently treated to a glimpse of the new stadium, with new footage showing its steep stands and the pitch preparation underway.
Along with the completion of the takeover, expected by the end of November, there are two major events on the horizon that Everton fans can eagerly look forward to.
