it’s been a long time since a player in Everton blue scored a goal like Iliman Ndiaye did against Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night. The tight spin, getting forward, trickery and finishing all combined nicely with so much of the solid attacking play that has been shown in recent years.
Granted, it came against the fourth level of resistance, but it was still stunning. The small steps and clever details were fascinating to a fan base that craved inspiration. It makes you want more.
Although there may only be three games left in the new season, Ndiaye will be hard to ignore for Sean Dyche.
When he made his debut against Doncaster, he appeared all over the pitch and was a constant source of creativity. It’s clear that he has a mindset and resourcefulness that many of his attacking colleagues can’t match. Against Bournemouth, in an already crucial game for the Blues, he must surely start again.
For an attack that has yet to score in the top flight this season, it shouldn’t be a big or bold decision. For Dyche? It could be, as Ndiaye’s inclusion in the starting line-up will almost certainly mean the withdrawal of one of his three favorites at Everton – Jack Harrison, Dwight McNeil or Abdoulaye Doucoure.
None of that trio have performed well this season and even struggled late in the previous campaign when the team got going. But Dyche is clearly dependent on them.
In last season’s league games, Doucoure started every game he was available for, McNeil started 33 out of 35 – recovering from an injury that saw him on the bench twice – while Harrison was on the bench just five times out of 30 , when he was fit to play.
In short, since Dyche has been at Everton, when this trio is fit, they almost always play. At times, particularly during Christmas last season, this was to the detriment of the players, with McNeil and Harrison looking particularly leggy during a busy schedule. Rather than turning to Lewis Dobbin or Arnaut Danjuma, the manager seems to prefer using worn-out versions of these wingers.
When Ndiaye arrived at Everton, the natural assumption was that he would be an alternative to Doucoure in the XI. He was often used out wide at Marseille and the former Sheffield United man was not seen at his best.
If Doucoure was the one to concede, it would not be unjustified. Since returning to the team from injury at the start of the year, the 31-year-old has failed to reach the level he previously achieved under Dyche. While he continues to work hard and offer some physical presence, the goalscoring contributions that made Doucoure so dangerous in 2022-23 have dried up.
Still, Dyche and Everton struggled to win without Doucoure. The former has never led the Blues to a league victory when the Malian international has been out, while Everton have won just three top-flight games in the four years without the midfielder since signing from Watford.
Dyche has twice hinted that Doucoure could also keep his place. Firstly, he remained on the bench for the entire game against Doncaster, suggesting the manager wants him fresh for the weekend.
He then suggested that Ndiaye would be better suited to a wider position at the moment. “I thought Ndiaye did really well to go further,” the Everton boss said after the game. “We know he can operate in a 10 role, but I thought he was more effective on the left, which is what we saw from him in pre-season.”
Playing on the left could mean moving McNeil inside – where he used to play against Tottenham and Doncaster – or to the right wing, where he has never looked entirely comfortable.
And while Harrison still feels like Everton’s most natural option on the right until Jesper Lindström fully kicks in, he is the player of the three the manager has shown the most willingness to feature, if only occasionally.
While the dilemma for Dyche can be a tricky one, ultimately the need for something new in attack after struggling last season – only Sheffield United scored fewer goals in the Premier League – and at the start of the current one where the trio featured prominently.
That could mean sacrificing the security and work ethic that McNeil, Doucoure and Harrison provide, traits that managers value. But it’s impossible to deny that it’s time for something else. It’s time for Ndiaye.