There have been plenty of players in demand over the course of the summer in the Premier League, but not many have been as talked about as Iliman Ndiaye. Even as the window draws to a close, this is still the case.
Right now, the Everton ace is linked with a move to Manchester City. It’s unclear if a move will take place before the deadline, but it is certainly within the realms of possibility.
One of his biggest admirers is pundit Pat Nevin, who recently sang his praises in an interview. He encouraged Everton to hold onto him, but was able to see the logic behind selling him.
If Ndiaye leaves the club soon enough, it could allow the Toffees to bring reinforcements in – namely, Jack Grealish, who spent time at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on loan last season.
Iliman Ndiaye 2025/26 Premier League stats
Games Goals Assists
Ndiaye 32 6 3
What did Pat Nevin say about Iliman Ndiaye possibly moving to Man City?
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Speaking with Spilxperten, Nevin said: “Ndiaye is another one of those players, that I feel Man City can buy him after a year. That’s his level. When I was playing as an attacking player for a team that wasn’t the best in the league, we were under the cosh a lot.
“I am only going to get the ball in the final third, four or five times, and only three or four times in a 1v1 or usable positions. It doesn’t matter how good I am, it’s still hard to do a lot with limited resources. And that’s what Everton has been for Ndiaye for a period of time.”
“If you’re playing in a top team, you’re spending your life in that final third. You don’t chase back and you just create. You get opportunities far more often. It’s all about numbers and I always knew this when I was playing. If I’m playing with a leading team, I’m going to be a hell lot better because you’re going to see the best of me more often.”
“And that’s Ndiaye. That is absolutely Ndiaye. You put him in a better team and he’s a better player. He’ll have good players around him who’re at the same technical level as he is.So you put him immediately in Man City, he can just suddenly go wow. He is that special. He is a top quality player.”
“I’m worried that Everton might lose Ndiaye. I’ve talked to a lot of Everton fans and that’s the kind of fear and worry. I think a lot of them are almost expecting it. And that’s why the club is signing wide players and attacking players to cover that area. And if Ndiaye goes, then you might be able to get Jack [Grealish] back. That sort of thing.”
“Everton are lucky to have Ndiaye for the time period that they have. I think he’s just fabulous and maybe alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Branthwaite, those are the three I would desperately not want to lose. I think they are special.