Iliman Ndiaye has been Everton’s standout performer this season, but Michael Keane is not surprised after what he has seen the winger do privately.
Everton have been unable to secure a win in any of their last three Premier League games, but Ndiaye has shone in each of them.
Against Manchester City, Pat Nevin was wowed by Ndiaye who caused Pep Guardiola’s side constant problems.
In the defeat against Spurs, Djed Spence was silenced by Ndiaye, after the winger proved the left-back’s toughest test all season.
And on Monday evening, Ndiaye stunned Jamie O’Hara with his solo goal against Sunderland up in the north east.
These performances have not come as a shock to many at Everton following an equally impressive 2024/25 campaign on Merseyside.
However, Keane has now pinpointed exactly what he has seen at Finch Farm which may answer this incredible run of form Ndiaye is on.
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Michael Keane shares key to Iliman Ndiaye’s Everton form
After coming off in the latter stages of the game on Monday, Moyes is hoping Ndiaye’s injury is nothing serious.
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Given the struggles Everton’s strikers are experiencing in front of goal, the 62-year-old cannot afford to lose his top scorer.
Having netted that stunning goal against the Black Cats, Keane has waxed lyrical about what Ndiaye is producing for Everton.
“He’s incredible, yeah. His dribbling, I feel like he’s gone up another level this year,” Keane told Everton’s media department.
🗣️ “I think when we are playing well, we're a better team than we have been for a long time. It’s just about getting that confidence back in front of goal and getting back to clean sheets."
Read Michael Keane’s post-match assessment from Monday evening … ⬇️
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“He’s believing in himself more and we’ve seen him working on them finishes all the time on his left foot and that’s going like it did.
“It was an amazing goal and credit to him. He’s been incredible. He’s a great teammate, as well. He’ll do the work off the ball. He works his socks off, so we’re really lucky to have him.”
Keane did put pressure on Everton’s strikers to help out the likes of Ndiaye in finding the back of the net.
But what Ndiaye is providing for the Blues is undeniable and is only attracting the attention of those all across Europe.
Everton are not worried about losing Ndiaye
Manchester City fans were mesmerised by Ndiaye during their 2-0 victory over the Toffees last month at the Etihad Stadium.
And it is this sort of attention that will worry some Everton fans.
However, Everton News understands that Everton could offer Ndiaye a new contract in the next 12 months.
There are no immediate concerns that the Senegal international could be lost to another club amid his current rich vein of form.
Everton are very pleased with Ndiaye’s performances, but there is also some give and take after the Blues took a chance on bringing him back to the Premier League.
With performances like Monday night, it may not be long before the winger is being rewarded with an improved deal.