Iliman Ndiaye has established himself as a real favourite among Everton supporters since joining in 2024.
When Everton paid Marseille around £15m for Iliman Ndiaye’s signature just over 12 months ago, many weren’t totally convinced.
Ndiaye had just come off the back of a three-goal season in Ligue 1 and was in and out of the team towards the end.
However, it’s proved to be an inspired addition as the Senegal international netted 10 Premier League goals last term and already has two in three this year.
So, it begs the question, what’s the limit for the 25-year-old playmaker?
Iliman Ndiaye celebrates for Everton vs Wolves.
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
To become a world class footballer, you need a lot of ingredients: talent, output, consistency and the ability to be a game-changer.
Ndiaye certainly has the ability and has shown he can be a difference-maker, but to get to that next level, he has to improve his output.
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That may sound incredibly harsh considering he’s already netted 13 goals for the Toffees since joining last year, but quite remarkably, he’s yet to register an assist.
If Moyes can improve that side of his game and ensure that his mazey runs and clever footwork lead to assists, then Everton could genuinely have a world-class player on their books.
Ndiaye was actually subjected to a £40m bid from Inter Milan in the summer, so clearly his stock is rising and he is getting closer to that next level.
🚨🔵 Everton have rejected all approaches for Iliman Ndiaye from Serie A and Premier League.
Ndiaye, seen as crucial part of the project at the club. pic.twitter.com/AGLeaa9Zkp
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 22, 2025
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Iliman Ndiaye’s path is similar to Riyad Mahrez’s
Riyad Mahrez, like Ndiaye, spent time in the Championship and prior to that was playing in France’s second tier with Le Havre.
Mahrez didn’t become world class until he was around 25-years-old – which was the year Leicester won the Premier League title.
That’s when it all came together for the Algerian winger, as his trickery started to lead to consistent output in the final third.
Ndiaye has just turned 25 and is starting to really kick on now, so perhaps he could follow a similar path to Mahrez.
Football fans across the world were in awe of Ndiaye’s performance for Senegal on Tuesday evening, so he’s returning to Finch Farm this week full of confidence ahead of the Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Saturday.