The Senegal forward registered only his second assist for the Blues on Sunday, but the numbers would suggest he is improving his creative output
Ndiaye after the win over Forest (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
You can’t knock the confidence of Iliman Ndiaye. “Before the game, Ili said, ‘Yes, today I'll try to help you to score’,” Thierno Barry revealed after breaking his Everton duck in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Ndiaye delivered.
As the first half edged toward a conclusion and supporters drifted towards the concourses for their refreshments, Ndiaye dragged every gaze back to the pitch at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
A blistering run, a slick stepover and a perfectly weighted pass placed the ball on a plate for Barry to make it 2-0. He could have slipped in Carlos Alcaraz. He could have taken the shot himself. Instead, true to his word, he set up his team-mate.
Given what he told Barry before kick-off, it was little surprise to see the Everton No. 10 celebrate almost as joyfully as the goalscorer when the ball hit the net. Ndiaye is not for breaking promises it would seem.
The build-up to Barry’s goal has flown under the radar somewhat, largely because of the fact it was Barry who scored it. But Everton manager David Moyes made a point of highlighting Ndiaye’s contribution afterward.
“I’ve got to say, the way Ili took it and laid it on a plate for him,” Moyes said in his post-match press conference. “Ndiaye’s ability to roll it softly so he could come onto it first time and lay it straight past the goalkeeper was great.
“It gave [Barry] no control issue, no thoughts that he had to do something different. Ili made his mind up and set it up for him. So great credit to Ili for getting Thierno the goal.”
It was a segment of play that felt familiar to Evertonians. Ndiaye has made plenty of magic happen since his arrival from Marseille last summer.
The quick feet, the flair, the ball-carrying — those have become his trademarks. But the final ball? That hasn’t always been part of the package.
Remarkably, the assist for Barry was only Ndiaye’s second for Everton in the Premier League since he joined. His first came earlier this season, setting up Idrissa Gueye at Anfield in the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool.
The creative aspect of his game is definitely one area Ndiaye can improve. His dribbling is among the best in the Premier League, while he’s also shown himself to be a reliable finisher in Everton blue.
So a player who is so technically adept and intelligent should be able to find more killer passes, right? The numbers would suggest he is beginning to do exactly that.
Assists in isolation can be misleading — especially given Everton’s struggles in front of goal with Barry and Beto. Often, the quality of the finish is out of the provider’s hands.
Ndiaye, for example, delivered a perfect cross for Beto against Crystal Palace that the striker failed to convert, only for Jack Grealish to bundle the rebound in.
Even so, Ndiaye already has two assists this season, having registered none last year. Per FotMob, In terms of chances created, he produced 18 in the whole of 2024–25; this season he already has 16. According to DataMB, he ranks third among Premier League wingers for expected assists.
His shift to the right flank may be playing a part. As a right-footer, he is now more often attacking the byline and whipping crosses into dangerous areas, rather than cutting inside from the left to shoot.
The improving talent around him also matters — as does the more proactive, ambitious style Moyes has introduced compared to predecessor Sean Dyche. Those shifts will only enhance the creative streaks in attacking footballers.
But Ndiaye deserves enormous credit himself. Everton’s best dribbler and most reliable goalscorer over the last two seasons is adding another weapon to his already lavish armoury.
In doing so, he is rapidly becoming one of the Premier League’s most complete wide players.
Evertonians know it. And judging by Ndiaye's promise to Barry, he knows it too.