Iliman Ndiaye has picked up an injury – and there’s one thing that David Moyes should avoid doing in terms of a solution if he is to miss games.
It’s been another good season for Iliman Ndiaye, who has chipped in with six goals and three assists so far.
The winger has been impactful, and stands to play a big part in the club’s run-in that will hopefully end with European football.
Will Everton need European football to keep Iliman Ndiaye? 😬
Surely a player of his quality will want to showcase himself on the top stage 🤩
Iliman Ndiaye ahead of playing for Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/Simon Stacpoole/Offside
But at the moment there is some concern about Ndiaye.
Because he has picked up an injury which has ruled him out of playing for Senegal. He isn’t featuring in their games against Peru and Gambia.
In a statement, the FSF said: “The player has discomfort in his left foot, following an injury sustained at club level.”
So there’s a chance Moyes may have to replace Ndiaye – and that man should not be Harrison Armstrong.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
David Moyes mustn’t be tempted to use Harrison Armstrong to replace Iliman Ndiaye
Armstrong has just taken a bit of a back seat at Everton in recent weeks.
He hasn’t played in two of Everton’s last three Premier League games, coming off the bench for a mere cameo in the other against Arsenal.
Harrison Armstrong playing for Everton.
Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images
But beforehand he was featuring fairly prominently.
And we saw how Moyes was happy to shunt him out wide, rather than turn to more natural options.
As committed to the cause as Armstrong was, it was clear that he is much better in the central positions, where he can make better use of his ability to break the lines, either with his passing or his dribbling.
Armstrong – who’s suggesting playing on the wing is a challenge – has decent physicality that can see him do a job out wide. But he has obviously spent most of his time developing playing in the middle.
So if Ndiaye has to miss games with this foot injury, then Moyes should resist temptation to turn to Armstrong.
And he should instead look at Tyrique George.
Tyrique George should be first choice to replace Iliman Ndiaye
Everton brought Tyrique George in on loan in January as additional cover following the injury to Jack Grealish.
But so far we haven’t seen a great deal of the 20-year-old.
He’s made one start against Bournemouth, and four other substitute appearances. George’s lack of minutes has certainly left some Everton fans confused.
There have been glimpses of his quality, but he would obviously benefit from a run of starts to build rhythm.
Tyrique George playing for Everton.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
It’s difficult for him though, because Ndiaye is basically undroppable, while Dwight McNeil has become resurgent.
But if Ndiaye has to spend time on the sidelines, it should be George who gets the nod over Armstrong as the more natural option, and someone who is more direct.
Tyler Dibling is, of course, another option. But seemingly, he is bottom of the pecking order at the moment.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox