2025/26 Iliman Ndiaye

[Gilbert..]

….pretty much why I wasn’t in favour of signing Grealish. Both he and Ndiaye tend to stand their full backs up but I do think Ndiaye does go past defenders more readily. Worth noting that Dibling looks a similar type.

Saying that, Grealish and Ndiaye have been terrific this season so my reservations were wrong. I actually think high quality full backs could thrive linking with both.

Its been Evertons issue for years. We've been playing a centre half and previous to that ashley young. Myko is ok but still bog standard.
Such an important position if you truely want to stretch teams. Esp if you dont have that natural pace out wide. Good overlapping fullbacks.
The recruitment hasnt been good.

 

[davek]

….pretty much why I wasn’t in favour of signing Grealish. Both he and Ndiaye tend to stand their full backs up but I do think Ndiaye does go past defenders more readily. Worth noting that Dibling looks a similar type.

Saying that, Grealish and Ndiaye have been terrific this season so my reservations were wrong. I actually think high quality full backs could thrive linking with both.

Yes, attacking FBs change the situation completely.

However, we have a pretty containable attack away from home - unless you're a terrible team like Wolves...and even they made amends in that cup game.

The PL is unforgiving if you dont have pace and athleticism.

 

[hetion]

If we had to sell one of Branthwaite or Ndiaye next summer who would people choose? Ndiaye could well be our most prized asset if he keeps this up and shines in AFCON/World Cup.

Pains me to say it but purely from cold calculations, probably Illi. He'll be slap bang in the middle of peak age with 3 years left on his contract - we'd be selling at peak value. Branthwaite still has plenty of time to keep appreciating value.

 

[Charro]

It's a head scratcher for me. He's obviously hugely talented, but I tend to believe that he slows down our counter-attcking game. Same could be said about Grealish, although Grealish links up play a lot more than Ndiaye, brings team mates into the attack and gets us into more threatening positions; Ndiaye is less of a team player in that respect.

All that glitters isn't always gold.

Crying out for some pace.

Desperately need a full back who can bomb on.

 

[Thesouthallarms]

It's a head scratcher for me. He's obviously hugely talented, but I tend to believe that he slows down our counter-attcking game. Same could be said about Grealish, although Grealish links up play a lot more than Ndiaye, brings team mates into the attack and gets us into more threatening positions; Ndiaye is less of a team player in that respect.

All that glitters isn't always gold.

Harshe he looks up sees Beto then he’s got zero help off O’Brien overlapping so it must feel like he had to doo it himself , Beto not getting contact on that cross first half was criminal also

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

Fear we will lose him pretty quickly to teams qualifying for Europe...

 

[Simon Buttle]

Fear we will lose him pretty quickly to teams qualifying for Europe...

Was just wondering what the state of his contract was tbh, listened to a few City fans on the radio last night who were giving him a mention, we need to get him tied down on a longer deal imo.

 

[hetion]

Was just wondering what the state of his contract was tbh, listened to a few City fans on the radio last night who were giving him a mention, we need to get him tied down on a longer deal imo.

4 years left currently. Only reason we give him a new one is if he's said he wants to stay and he needs a pay rise. Which feels unlikely if I'm honest - if he keeps playing like this and we don't have an insane season, he's probably our big sale next summer.

 

[Eggs]

Was just wondering what the state of his contract was tbh, listened to a few City fans on the radio last night who were giving him a mention, we need to get him tied down on a longer deal imo.

….timing is right for a deal on improved terms as he does seem content enough to agree one. I’d also be keeping an eye on AFCON and next years World Cup if he continues to star for a very decent Senegal team. The goal he scored for them this week was terrific.

Ultimately, though, contracts mean little if a player wants to leave for one of the truly Galaticos clubs. His first half performance yesterday was at that level, although he was nowhere near as good in the 2nd half.

 

[Simon Buttle]

4 years left currently. Only reason we give him a new one is if he's said he wants to stay and he needs a pay rise. Which feels unlikely if I'm honest - if he keeps playing like this and we don't have an insane season, he's probably our big sale next summer.

Nah Branthwaite is gone in the summer imo, especially given the fitness concerns, let someone else worry about that. It would be mad to sell Illy unless he actually wanted to leave, mind you I could see it happening then us paying silly money and silly wages to keep Grealish thus showing we still haven't learn't a damm thing.

 

[Osamabindiesel]

If he becomes a creator like he showed in the first half, we will in no way be able to keep him. He is next to unstoppable in a one on one. If this boy can cross and actually slide people through, he is playing champs league footy.

 

[hetion]

Nah Branthwaite is gone in the summer imo, especially given the fitness concerns, let someone else worry about that. It would be mad to sell Illy unless he actually wanted to leave, mind you I could see it happening then us paying silly money and silly wages to keep Grealish thus showing we still haven't learn't a damm thing.

Think Branthwaite is our big sale summer 2027. He'll be 25 and we can sell him at peak value. Next summer Ndiaye is 26 and we can sell him at peak value.

This is all *if* we need a big sale in each of those summers, but likely we will with PSR being what it is, and we can make a stonking profit on both of them.

 

[BigDunc'sFod]

Was that the best performance from an Everton player this season?

Got neither a goal nor an assist and was at fault by and large for their first goal

Best of a bad bunch, maybe. We can and should expect better.

Still love him like.

 

[davek]

Harshe he looks up sees Beto then he’s got zero help off O’Brien overlapping so it must feel like he had to doo it himself , Beto not getting contact on that cross first half was criminal also

He's a fine player and I'm loathe to criticise him, but he doesn't do THAT nearly enough.

The difference between him and a player like, say, Silva is enormous.

People on here have been saying Pep will have the cheque out for him. Not a chance.

 

[Victus]

I think we will be lucky to get another year from him unless we can somehow get into europe this year, get a proper manager in and a decent striker.