From a base in a 4‑2‑3‑1 or a 4‑3‑3, he often appears as the left‑sided attacker who alternates between width and interior presence.
When the ball is on the right, he positions himself on the blind shoulder of the opposition right‑back, ready to sprint across the line if a diagonal switch is played.
When build‑up proceeds on his side, he comes short to receive on the touchline, sets his body to view central and down‑the‑line options, and then chooses between a wall pass or a dribble inside into the half‑space or central spaces.
Out of possession, he can narrow alongside the centre‑forward to lead the first press from the left, which shortens his recovery run when the ball is regained and increases access to goal.
Iliman Ndiaye Technical Base & Receiving Habits
Iliman Ndiaye’s game is built on first‑touch security under contact and the ability to manipulate the ball at low speeds before accelerating.
He can receive with his back foot with his hips half‑open, so he can either roll inward onto his stronger foot or explode down the line.
The first touch invites a step from the defender and sets the stage for a body swerve.
As shown versus Wolverhampton Wanderers, Iliman Ndiaye receives the ball from the right side.
He controls the ball with close control and subtle feints, which he uses to evade tackles.
This leads him into a central area where there are more options to combine, and he has inadvertently put the opposition full back in a difficult position.
If the full back follows, there is space in the right wide area for someone to exploit.
If he does not follow Ndiaye, there is now an additional player for the Wolves players covering the central zones to consider.
This contrast between a soft control and a sharp second action is a recurring mechanism that dislocates the opposition’s timing.
He is comfortable receiving in central pockets where it is more crowded.
There, he uses sole rolls and inside‑outside touches to protect the ball while adjusting angles for the next pass.
The coordination between upper‑body feints and toe‑point changes of direction is strong.
In the league fixture versus West Ham United, Iliman Ndiaye is able to wrong-foot El Hadji Malick Diouf through body feints and is able to create space for a dangerous cross into the box.
He sells a movement with the shoulders, then drags the ball back across his body to escape the reaching foot.
He will also vary his steps to draw an opponent into a lunging tackle before dribbling away on the third contact.
Iliman Ndiaye is built with a sturdiness that belies his height, and he holds his ground in contact, which aids him when shielding the ball and when riding tackles.
Iliman Ndiaye Ball Carrying, Physical Profile & 1-v-1 Threat
At 2.7 successful take‑ons per 90, placing him in the 95th percentile among positional peers in the top five leagues, he profiles as one of Europe’s more reliable isolation winners.
The quality of these actions lies in how he handles duels.
He begins by sizing up his opposition and then invites a challenge by touching the ball just beyond leg reach.
He then accelerates through the line of contact rather than around it.
The pattern is to shape as if to knock‑and‑run down the outside before going across the full‑back’s path into the half‑space.
Once he has his body between the ball and opponent, he rides the trailing arm and keeps his legs moving to draw a foul or to exit into space.
His physical profile is a quiet asset in these exchanges.
He is able to barge, which means shoulder‑to‑shoulder contact rarely fazes him.
The height is deceiving because opponents expect to move him, but they bounce off his frame when they try to tackle across his body.
His byline work is another route to advantage.
When he drives to the outside, he will carry parallel to the goal line and then turn diagonally across the six‑yard box.
This movement is difficult to defend because any clumsy attempt to nick the ball risks a penalty.
This diagonal run also forces the back line to retreat to its own goal, creating space at the edge of the area for late arrivals.
Iliman Ndiaye Passing, Combinations & Progression
Iliman Ndiaye’s passing is oriented to verticality.
He looks forward early and scans for runners before they receive.
On the right this season, he combines with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to create third‑man patterns.
He is also a useful progressor through contact.
In the middle third, he can accept a ball under pressure, roll away from the first challenge, and slot a pass between the lines to the ten or the nine.
Iliman Ndiaye Final Third Threat & Shooting
The goal threat rests on a mixture of off‑the-ball movement and strike selection.
From the left, he times back‑post runs when the ball is on the right, arriving on the blind side of the full‑back for tap‑ins and cutbacks.
He can drive to the byline for low pulls or cut inside to shape a curled finish toward the far corner.
As shown in the league fixture versus Sunderland, Iliman Ndiaye is able to capitalise on the loss of possession from Noah Sadiki.
He continues to drive, and at the last second, he takes the touch away from Dan Ballard (Sunderland number 5) and outmuscles Granit Xhaka.
When he finds the opportunity, he curls the ball into the net.
The set of finishes in general is still a work in progress, but the composure to delay for a supporting run is present.
He has the awareness to draw the goalkeeper and square the ball when the finish is a lower percentage.
This season for Everton, he’s averaging 0.49 goal involvements per 90, which places him in the 90th percentile among Premier League players so far.
Iliman Ndiaye Out-Of-Possession Work & Defensive Value
Iliman Ndiaye contributes more intensity without the ball than many of his positional peers.
The data show 2.2 tackles won per 90 minutes, at the 94th percentile, and 6.25 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, at the 99th percentile.
In Everton’s press, he begins by curving his run to block the pass into midfield, as well as ushering the centre‑back toward the touchline trap.
As shown in a league win against Fulham, Iliman Ndiaye is able to curve his run well, making it impossible for a pass back to Sander Berge or Kevin.
He closes down Ryan Sessegnon, and it goes out for a throw-in.
When the opponent switches to his side, he engages with the right‑back.
He is diligent in backward running to follow his man to the edge of his own third, and he contests second balls after clearances rather than leaving the work to the midfield.
Iliman Ndiaye Physical & Stylistic Comparison
There is a stylistic feel of Samir Nasri in how Iliman Ndiaye moves through tight areas.
He handles the ball like it’s glued to his foot; he is difficult to dispossess, and he entertains.
Similar to Nasri, he can ride contact, bounce would‑be tacklers, and continue the action without breaking rhythm.
Alongside his build and deceptive height, the comparison captures a good mix of artistry and grit that makes his carries so dangerous.
Conclusion
Iliman Ndiaye provides Everton with an attacking reference point, now delivering consistent output alongside the existing excitement.
His close control and the speed of his carries make him the heart of everything Everton does when it comes to forward‑facing combinations and chances.
Additionally, his willingness to run for the team brings both aesthetic appeal and practical utility.
The data support the perception of a high‑engagement player who wins take‑ons at a top percentile, tackles and recovers the ball at elite rates, and draws fouls in useful areas.
As his final decisions continue to improve, he is now the central figure in Everton’s attacking plan.
