Everton will be looking to put their recent Premier League battering behind them when they face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Everton are 14th in the Premier League table, knowing that a win over Bournemouth on Tuesday will give them a huge chance of heading into the top-half of the standings, should other results go their way.
David Moyes’ men have won two of their last three Premier League games and despite never winning at Bournemouth in the league in their history, they will fancy their chances with the Cherries having failed to win in four attempts.
However, the Toffees have been relying on Iliman Ndiaye to see them through games and he could face his toughest test yet against Andoni Iraola’s men.
Everton star Iliman Ndiaye.
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Antoine Semenyo’s defensive metrics could prove to be a tough test for Iliman Ndiaye
Antoine Semenyo has been one of the Premier League’s best attacking stars this season, there is no doubting that.
With nine goals and assists, there is no doubting that the Ghanaian international has been at his best, with only Brentford’s Igor Thiago and Manchester City star Erling Haaland ranking above him in that metric.
However, the winger has also been defensively astute and that could provide a problem for Iliman Ndiaye.
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Based over the last year, Semenyo is in the top one percent of blocks per 90 minutes for wingers, as well as being in the top three percent for aerial duels won, according to FBREF.
Further to that, he’s in the top 22 percent for tackles and top 18 percent for clearances – showing a defensive nous.
With Ndiaye’s game based on his mazy dribbling, Semenyo doubling up to help out fellow left-back teammate Adrien Truffert will give Ndiaye a real test out on the flank, especially given Semenyo is deadly in attack and the Senegalese star will be on the back foot himself.
Iliman Ndiaye could face arguably the most formidable left-hand outfit in the Premier League
It’s not only Semenyo who Ndiaye will have to be wary of beating.
Truffert – once linked with Everton himself – has quietly been one of the Premier League’s best left-backs.
The Belgian-born French star records around 8 progressive passes per game, being a frequent crosser, and that means that with Bournemouth being a complete threat on the left, Ndiaye may have a tough time being at his very best.
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Adding to that, Ndiaye has lost all four of his games against the Cherries, with his previous two fixtures against the south coast club ending with the Toffees being goalless.
It’s a feat that both himself and David Moyes will have to turn around heading into Tuesday night’s clash, make no mistake.
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