Everton's Iliman Ndiaye is a player the club cannot afford to lose, a point underscored by his performance in Saturday's 2-0 opening day win over Crystal Palace. The Senegalese forward was instrumental at Hill Dickinson Stadium, setting up the second goal and leading the team's attacking efforts as reported by The New York Times.
That victory leaves Everton fourth in the Premier League table with three points from one game, having scored two goals and conceded none. Their next challenge is an away trip to face Bournemouth, who are 14th, on August 29. Thierno Barry, who netted the second goal from Ndiaye's cross, is the club's top scorer so far this season with one goal.
How did Ndiaye perform against Palace?
Iliman Ndiaye directly influenced the result against Pierre Sage's Crystal Palace. With the game still goalless, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a vital save from Eddie Nketiah to keep the scores level. Everton then took the lead through a goal from midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The decisive second goal came when the 26-year-old Ndiaye delivered a precise cross for Thierno Barry to finish. Manager David Moyes later compared the quality of that assist to the work of Everton's 1980s technical winger Kevin Sheedy.
Ndiaye's influence extended beyond the assist. He created three chances, more than any other player on the pitch, and had nine touches in the opposition penalty area. Defensively, he was also highly active, making eight recoveries and a total of 15 defensive contributions, which was the highest figure among all attacking players.
What is the latest on his future?
Speculation about Iliman Ndiaye's future has been a feature of this summer's transfer window. The player rejected multiple contract offers from Everton last season and has been monitored by some of the Premier League's leading clubs. Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal also expressed interest, but a move there did not appeal to Ndiaye, who dreams of playing in the Champions League.
Manager David Moyes has been clear about his stance. He does not want to sell the forward and has stated it would require an 'outrageous' offer for Everton to even consider a sale. With just over a week remaining in the transfer window, the club's position is being tested. Everton have reportedly looked at potential replacements on the wing in case Ndiaye pushes for a departure, but his current deal still has three years to run.
What are the squad's thoughts on keeping him?
Teammates are vocal in their desire for Ndiaye to stay. Midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who scored the opener, was effusive in his praise. "I absolutely love Ili. I could wax lyrical about him for so long. He's one of my favourite footballers," Dewsbury-Hall said. He added a broader hope for the squad's ambitions: "When you're a top player, you're always going to have people wanting you."
The hope within the squad is to build on last season's campaign, which ended with a missed chance at European football, and challenge for those places in the next couple of years. Keeping core talents like Ndiaye is seen as essential to that project. His return to training after a delayed post-World Cup break was noted as a significant boost to the group's overall level.
What does this mean for Everton's season?
Everton's strong start provides a platform, but retaining Iliman Ndiaye could define their campaign. His all-action style is a perfect fit for Moyes's system, offering creativity, goal threat, and defensive work rate. Losing him so late in the window would be a major setback for a team looking to climb the standings. The immediate focus shifts to preparing for the Bournemouth fixture, a game you can find on our fixtures page. How the club navigates the final days of the transfer window, with Ndiaye's situation central, will signal their true ambitions for the season ahead.
