Iliman Ndiaye has been a standout performer for Everton since his summer move from Marseille, and his arrival has been a much-needed boost for a club that had struggled with creativity and attacking play in recent seasons. His dribbling skills and ability to take on defenders in one-on-one situations have been crucial for Everton, a team that previously relied heavily on set-pieces and narrow victories.
The 23-year-old forward has not only impressed the fans but also garnered attention across Europe for his dribbling ability. According to the CIES Football Observatory, Ndiaye ranks second in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons, trailing only West Ham’s Mohamed Kudus. This achievement places him ahead of renowned dribblers like Rafael Leão, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, and Vinícius Júnior, highlighting his exceptional ability in this aspect of the game.
Phil Jagielka, a former Everton player, praised Ndiaye’s natural playing style, likening him to a futsal player due to his comfort with the ball at his feet and his instinctive ability to beat defenders. This makes him a crucial asset in Everton’s attack, but as highlighted in the report, it’s vital that Everton regularly feed him the ball in dangerous areas to maximize his impact. His goal against Leicester, where he weaved through defenders before scoring, exemplified how dangerous he can be when given the opportunity to express himself.
However, as impressive as his dribbling is, there is concern that opposing teams may look to “man-mark” him out of games. To mitigate this, Everton may need to add another attacking threat on the opposite wing to keep defenders on their toes. This would help Ndiaye remain effective and not be easily neutralized.
With his continued development, Ndiaye has the potential to be one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season.
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