“Wonderfully Gifted…” – Journalist Reveals What He’s Been Impressed by in Everton Star This Season
Mike Hughes Praises Iliman Ndiaye as "Wonderfully Gifted" and Highlights His Impressive Performances Cutting In from the Left for Everton
The forward was signed in the summer transfer window for a fee of around £15 million [Alan Myers, 3 July] and has since established himself as a key player in Sean Dyche’s first team.
In a piece for the BBC Sport website (13 November), BBC journalist Hughes commented on the Senegal international’s performances this season.
“Dwight McNeil’s absence at West Ham handed the creative responsibility to Iliman Ndiaye, who is a wonderfully talented player,” he wrote.
“One of his many strengths is cutting inside, especially from the left onto his right foot.
Perhaps he could have been an option for the number-10 role, with Jack Harrison on the left.”
Iliman Ndiaye has quickly become central to Everton’s play.
Though it took Dyche a few games to integrate him fully into the lineup, once he did, Ndiaye’s impact became undeniable.
The Toffees made several additions over the summer, but Ndiaye’s arrival might have been the most crucial.
Everton’s attack was a weak spot last season, with little creativity and few goals, leaving Goodison Park searching for answers.
Ndiaye’s movement, both on and off the ball, ranks among the best in the team, and without the 24-year-old, Everton would likely be far worse off.
While McNeil has been Everton’s standout this season, as Hughes noted, Ndiaye has stepped up as the primary creative force with McNeil out.
Ndiaye’s versatility and creativity now make him essential to the team’s attacking play.
Though it’s still early in the season, if Ndiaye’s form holds, he’s on track to become one of Dyche’s best players by the season’s end.
