Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye is taking his game to a new level this season, bouncing back from his Marseille disappointment.
Everton have suffered mixed Premier League results so far this season, but Iliman Ndiaye has been the shining light.
Ndiaye has been sensational even after moving to the right flank for Everton this season.
The Senegal international has been dancing past defenders for fun, with Manchester City fans even praising Ndiaye after his display at the Etihad Stadium.
Pat Nevin is backing Ndiaye for a big move, but Everton are in a great position to command huge money for the 25-year-old.
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Marseille’s hasty decision on Iliman Ndiaye
Ndiaye’s rise this season comes after his dream move to Marseille turned sour.
After shining for Sheffield United, Ndiaye completed a switch to boyhood club Marseille, capping off a remarkable rise from non-league football with Boreham Wood.
However, Ndiaye spent just one year with Marseille, registering only four goals in 46 games.
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This perhaps supports the idea of dreams being left as dreams, as Ndiaye’s dream move turned into a nightmare.
Everton pounced to sign Ndiaye as Marseille decided to quickly move on and sell the wide man.
One story behind Ndiaye’s exit summed up how Marseille were rather hasty in their decision to sell.
As noted by Marseille reporter Ben Byllel on Le10Sport in September, Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia allegedly saw Ndiaye looking nervous before a European game.
It was suggested that Benatia immediately believed that playing for Marseille was too much for Ndiaye, and he was therefore sold despite being a ‘real talent’.
“I was told something about Iliman Ndiaye that actually accelerated his transfer,” said Byllel.
“Benatia came into the locker room before a Europa League match and saw him putting on his socks while trembling. Immediately, Benatia thought to himself: ‘This guy is finished.’ Too much tension, too much pressure when he’s a real talent.
“Benatia, that’s where he really understood. He doesn’t give much time to those who lack mental fortitude,” he added.
Everton benefit from Marseille selling Iliman Ndiaye
Marseille can be an intense environment, and there is an expectation to win despite going 15 years without a league title.
Ndiaye may have felt that pressure a little more as a boyhood Marseille fan, but he was making a big jump from the Championship at the time.
Even if you take out the personal connection to Marseille, this was the biggest move of his career, and some nerves in his first season would surely have been natural.
Instead, Marseille cashed in at the first opportunity, and Everton were more than happy to take advantage.
Ndiaye is now growing into one of the Premier League’s most exciting players, and he certainly doesn’t appear to be overawed by the new attention placed on him.
Maybe Ndiaye just needed some more time to really grow at Marseille, but Everton certainly won’t be complaining with their decision to sell.