Iliman Ndiaye spoke after he starred in Everton's 2-2 draw with Manchester United at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 03: Patrick Dorgu of Manchester United challenges for the ball with Iliman Ndiaye of Everton during the Premier League Summer Series match between Manchester United and Everton FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 03, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Getty Images)
Patrick Dorgu challenges for the ball with Iliman Ndiaye during the Premier League Summer Series match between Manchester United and Everton at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 03, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia
(Image: AJ Reynolds/Getty Images)
While the spotlight is focused firmly on who Everton will sign next, in Atlanta on Sunday night came a timely reminder about a player already on the club's books who is ready to take the next step. Iliman Ndiaye was simply superb in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
It was his brilliantly taken left-footed volley that drew the Blues level and it was his powerful run - that Bruno Fernandes attempted to end with a desperately poor challenge - that led to their second and final equaliser.
Much talk before and after the final match in the Premier League Summer Series had centred on United's new mega-money signings, the £62.5m Matheus Cunha and the £71m Bryan Mbeumo.
But while both showed glimpses of why the big-spending Red Devils - who have now tabled a £74m bid for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko - were so keen to sign them, they were largely put in the shade by the mercurial Ndiaye.
Indeed, after finishing as Everton's nine-goal top scorer in his first full season in the Premier League, the Senegalese looked all the world a player on the cusp of kicking on.
"The goal I scored gives me good confidence," said Ndiaye, who finished his debut campaign with the Blues with 11 goals in all competition, which included a brace in the final men's first-team game at Goodison Park.
"'m not usually one who wants to score too many goals in pre-season, but now it feels good to be able to help the team get a result.
"Obviously, on a personal note, it's always nice to score goals and put the work in, so it felt good.
"I wouldn't say I put pressure (on myself), but I expect a lot from myself. I want to score a lot of goals and assists, which, as I always say, is what an attacking player should do.
"You want to do those things to help the team win – and that's what everyone expects from me."
While Everton finished winless in the Premier League Summer Series, it was still a trip to remember off the field while on it, the well-deserved draw with Man United eased the disappointment of losing 2-1 to West Ham United and 3-0 to Bournemouth.
Ndiaye said: "I think overall it was a pleasing result. Obviously, we started the tournament not very well and today we needed to change that and put on a good performance for ourselves and the fans."
The Blues were well backed in Atlanta and Chicago and New Jersey before that and Ndiaye, speaking to evertontv, added: "It makes me really proud. When I first came, I didn't know Everton fans were like this all over the world.
"So coming here and seeing how many fans we have, how they support the team, how loud they've been in the stadium - everyone's heard it. So, yes, it's amazing."
The Blues have now returned to the UK and on Saturday they play their final friendly of the summer before their Premier League campaign kicks-off at Leeds United on August 18 - and it's a big one.
Everton face Italian giants Roma - who are also owned by The Friedkin Group - in the third and final test event at the club's new Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
The match, which is a sell-out, is followed immediately by a 'Legends' game featuring former players from both clubs.