“Is Iliman Ndiaye the Key to Reviving Everton’s Attack?”
It’s been quite a while since an Everton player scored a goal like Iliman Ndiaye did on Tuesday night against Doncaster Rovers. His tight spin, forward surge, skillful moves, and finish were a refreshing change from the often uninspiring attacking play seen in recent years.
Although the goal came against a lower-tier team, it was still impressive. The small steps and clever touches captivated fans who have been craving excitement. Ndiaye’s performance has left fans eager for more.
Even though we’re only three games into the new season, Ndiaye is becoming hard to overlook for Sean Dyche. Making his full debut against Doncaster, he was a dynamic presence throughout the pitch, showcasing creativity that many of his attacking teammates lack. Given his standout performance, he should be considered for a starting role in the crucial upcoming match against Bournemouth.
For an Everton attack that hasn’t scored in the top flight this season, this decision shouldn’t be too risky. However, for Dyche, it might be challenging, as including Ndiaye in the starting lineup would likely require dropping one of his favored players: Jack Harrison, Dwight McNeil, or Abdoulaye Doucoure.
None of these three have performed well this season, and even towards the end of the last campaign, they struggled as the team faltered. Despite this, Dyche seems to rely heavily on them. Last season, Doucoure started every available league game, McNeil started 33 out of 35 matches (missing two due to injury), and Harrison was only benched five times out of 30 appearances.
In essence, since Dyche took over at Everton, these three have almost always played when fit. This reliance sometimes proved detrimental, particularly over the Christmas period last season, with McNeil and Harrison looking fatigued. Dyche seemed more inclined to use these worn-out wingers than to turn to alternatives like Lewis Dobbin or Arnaut Danjuma.
When Ndiaye joined Everton, it was initially assumed he would serve as an alternative for Doucoure in the lineup. His previous use at Marseille in a wide role didn’t showcase his best qualities, suggesting he might not have been fully utilized.