Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye has made a productive start to the season.
With Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall coming in, Iliman Ndiaye has found himself playing in an unfamiliar position on the right wing.
Ndiaye has scored two and assisted one in six Premier League outings, so he’s clearly capable in that role.
Ahead of the Crystal Palace game this weekend, the Everton star has just lifted the lid on how he truly feels about Moyes’ decision to play him out of position.
Iliman Ndiaye playing for Everton against Brighton.
Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar Via Getty Images
Iliman Ndiaye admits he’s still adapting to new position
Speaking to Everton’s website, Ndiaye has admitted that he’s still adapting to his new position on the right.
“I’m still getting used to it and finding my best ways,” the 25-year-old said. “The way I’m playing on the left is different from the way I’m playing on the right, but it’s good. I’ve scored two goals playing on the right, coming in at the back post and being alive in there.
“I feel like I can still do more – score more goals, create goals – but I’m still learning the role. It’s new to me because, generally, in the past, I’ve tended to play more off the left or down the middle. I’ve played on the right a few times but not as much. I’ve played on the right for Senegal recently, too.”
As evinced by the table below, Ndiaye has played the centre-forward role more than any other position throughout his career, which is quite interesting considering he’s never really operated there for Everton
Position Games Goals Assists
Centre-Forward 49 10 12
Left Winger 36 7 1
Attacking Midfield 35 8 2
Second Striker 16 7 3
Right Winger 11 2 2
Left Midfield 5 3 0
Right Midfield 3 1 0
Per Transfermarkt
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Iliman Ndiaye says he’s working with the analysts to get better
Ndiaye also added that he’s been working with the Everton analysis team to enhance his game as a right winger.
“I say it a lot – as a forward player, you want to be able to play in those different positions across the line. It’s not necessarily easy because you don’t have the same actions and spaces on one side compared to the other but it’s about getting used to all of that as quickly as possible.
“I’ve been doing a lot of work on it, in training and through analysis sessions with the backroom team.
“I’m working on different situations I’ll find myself in on the right side and trying to get better and better. I’m working on my positioning, where and when I can attack space, where I can dribble and things like that. Obviously, the more you work on it, the better you will be.”
Ndiaye admitted he wanted to be the best player in the world last year, so it’s clear he has real self-belief and a great drive to improve himself.