The Senegal international has been used in both wide positions this season instead of his natural no. 10 berth
After all the talk, all the online debate and all the questions put to Sean Dyche in his press conferences, Iliman Ndiaye was finally shifted off the left wing in Everton’s last match. Onto the right.
The clamour has been building for the Senegal international to start as the second striker or number 10 in recent weeks.
Before making his move to the Blues, it was assumed that one of the main reasons for his problems at Marseille were due to the fact he was shunted out wide. So there were naturally some initial concerns when Ndiaye started his first Premier League game for the club on the left.
After a dazzling performance in the 3-2 loss to Bournemouth, those concerns were temporarily shelved. But as Ndiaye’s influence has dwindled and Everton’s attacking prowess has faded, questions on how to get the best of the club’s £15million summer signing have started to resurface.
In one recent press conference, Dyche caused a stir with his assessment of Ndiaye as a footballer.
“Currently, he’s doing well coming off the left,” he said in November. “People keep telling me I should be playing him in the Number 10 [position] but there’s no evidence to suggest that he should be playing as a Number 10. People keep telling me my role as a manager, as they do.
“I think he can adapt to play there but the modern Number 10, you have to defend from there as well. You see Dwight McNeil doing very well on the defensive side.”
Since sharing what felt like strong opinions on the matter, Dyche has actually gradually moved away from them.
In the second half of the 0-0 draw with Brentford, Ndiaye was used in a central role and off the right. Then, after reverting back to the McNeil central and Ndiaye wide plan for the 4-0 loss to Manchester United, for the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers there was a significant tactical revamp.
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Iliman Ndiaye wait could continue after Everton ‘evidence’ claim and new tactical change
The Senegal international has been used in both wide positions this season instead of his natural no. 10 berth
Sport
Matt C Jones
14:01, 11 Dec 2024
Updated 14:02, 11 Dec 2024
After all the talk, all the online debate and all the questions put to Sean Dyche in his press conferences, Iliman Ndiaye was finally shifted off the left wing in Everton’s last match. Onto the right.
Article continues below
The clamour has been building for the Senegal international to start as the second striker or number 10 in recent weeks.
Before making his move to the Blues, it was assumed that one of the main reasons for his problems at Marseille were due to the fact he was shunted out wide. So there were naturally some initial concerns when Ndiaye started his first Premier League game for the club on the left.
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After a dazzling performance in the 3-2 loss to Bournemouth, those concerns were temporarily shelved. But as Ndiaye’s influence has dwindled and Everton’s attacking prowess has faded, questions on how to get the best of the club’s £15million summer signing have started to resurface.
In one recent press conference, Dyche caused a stir with his assessment of Ndiaye as a footballer.
“Currently, he’s doing well coming off the left,” he said in November. “People keep telling me I should be playing him in the Number 10 [position] but there’s no evidence to suggest that he should be playing as a Number 10. People keep telling me my role as a manager, as they do.
“I think he can adapt to play there but the modern Number 10, you have to defend from there as well. You see Dwight McNeil doing very well on the defensive side.”
Since sharing what felt like strong opinions on the matter, Dyche has actually gradually moved away from them.
In the second half of the 0-0 draw with Brentford, Ndiaye was used in a central role and off the right. Then, after reverting back to the McNeil central and Ndiaye wide plan for the 4-0 loss to Manchester United, for the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers there was a significant tactical revamp.
Article continues below
It meant McNeil moved to the left and Abdoulaye Doucoure was pushed forward to support Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
It was a shift that seemed to work. Of course, Everton will encounter stronger foes than Wolves in the coming weeks, but the tweak rekindled memories of the version of the Blues that finished last season so well.
There was still a lot to be desired in terms of creativity in open play, but out of possession and in terms of pressing the team looked much more effective
