Iliman Ndiaye is starting to show his worth for Enzo Maresca's Manchester City
Iliman Ndiaye of Manchester City celebrates after win at Manchester United
Iliman Ndiaye impressed for Manchester City against Manchester United and Sunderland
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There was something of a sliding doors moment at the Etihad in the summer transfer window.
City were trying to seal a move for Liverpool's Cody Gakpo and at one stage it appeared the Netherlands international was set to swap Merseyside for Manchester. Ultimately, the deal broke down and the Blues instead turned their attention to a few miles down the road at Hill Dickinson Stadium, completing a deadline day deal for Iliman Ndiaye.
It was a fairytale move for a footballer who was on loan at Hyde United six years ago and has now made his Champions League debut and delivered a couple of eye-catching performances for his new employers.
Ndiaye made an instant impression at City, with the coaching staff immediately impressed by his attitude and application in training, and in recent weeks, he has shown on the pitch exactly why City spent £65million to sign him this summer.
The winger has made key contributions in back-to-back Premier League wins over Manchester United and Sunderland. He came off the bench at Old Trafford and impressed with his ability to retain possession and carry the ball up the pitch as City earned a 1-0 derby victory.
Against Sunderland, he was the best player on the pitch in the first half before being replaced by Jeremy Doku in the second period.
His work rate has impressed internally, while on Sunday, one run and flick inside to himself before he unselfishly teed up Erling Haaland for a huge chance, which the Norwegian missed, highlighted the Senegal international’s role, the directness and energy coupled with skill and creativity.
Ndiaye has settled well at the Etihad, friends have made the journey over from France to watch him in Manchester, with the City man giving away his shirts to those pals who had travelled from Paris.
He’s developing as well, after his debut Maresca said Ndiaye was too often ‘in the wrong position’ against Coventry. The former Eveton man will have to adapt to what Maresca wants from his wingers, which is to play high and wide and be the chief creators for a City side that have already scored 20 goals in seven matches.
And while Ndiaye hasn't delivered a goal contribution yet, the signs are encouraging. After the win over Sunderland, Maresca made a point of name-checking Ndiaye in answering a question about Antoine Semenyo. 'I think Iliman played quite well," was the succinct assessment from the City boss.
Ndiaye was seen by the Etihad hierarchy as being 'a City player' and the Blues had been keeping close tabs on the player before swooping for his signature this summer. Sporting Director Hugo Viana has cited several attributes he believes the Senegal international will bring to the club and expressed confidence that the former Marseille man will be an important player over the coming years for Maresca's new-look side.
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"Iliman is a very versatile player, he can play on the left, right and as a number 10 also. Maybe he can be a false nine in some games," said Viana in his interview with club media last week.
"In terms of technical characteristics, he is a Manchester City player for sure. His work ethic and mentality is there also. He showed us in the second half of the United game but also if you go back to Everton last season. He was a really, really important player, and also at the beginning of this season.
"He is a player that we all believe can be a really important player for the next few years and there are three or four positions he can do easily.
"Iliman has shown us before, he has come from a very different level of football in England (having worked his way from non-league to the Premier League) but with his work ethic and commitment he achieved to be able to come to Manchester City and that means the mentality is there and it is really, really important."