Iliman Ndiaye identifies room for improvement at Everton

He's had a good season, he's been our most productive attacking player by a country mile and there's so much more we can get from him in the remaining games this season – and even more in 2025-26.

What I love about him is that he retrieves the ball and always his first instinct is to turn immediately and run forward. It's a rare trait in Everton central midfielders that can control a football and run forward with it.

He's like an irritating wasp or Jack Russell off the ball.

One of those attackers who always operate with their foot on the gas. What a joy to watch!

Ndiaye in many ways reminds me of Steven Pienaar, in terms of being constantly switched on, works hard off the ball and has a very similar touch and ability on the ball.

Alan J. #5, as far as I'm concerned, that's our starting lineup next season, unless we make a major signing.

Might not be this season, therefore, but certainly next. Unless of course we manage to sign superior players in their positions over summer.

That is very high praise. I don't think Ndiaye is at that stage in the Premier League yet, much as I enjoy watching him, but it suggests the potential.

With hopefully new and better players coming in, he could be very important for us.

The situation is complicated by what Moyes said about Alcaraz, saying he was mindful of how many starts he has, when making his team selection.

It's suggested if he has 9 starts we are obligated to purchase. I'm surprised we haven't made up our mind on a young player, clear potential, 22 years of age, £12M?

Little genius and the best footballer we've had since the mercurial James Rodriguez.

These lads are the reason we go the games.

Maybe we are thinking of £6M instead of £12M? The Kenwright legacy still in place?

Statement of the obvious but we are desperate for more goals.

The goals against record is (once again) excellent (38) – only just off Champions League standard. Unfortunately the goals for record is (once again) very poor (33) - the worst outside of the Bottom 3. We have a very, very poor attack by Premier League standards.

This summer, we really do need to invest in improving that – which does not necessarily just mean the forward positions, but also the style of players at full-back and midfield. In particular, we need players of pace and ability to hurt teams on the counter-attack.

In theory, if we were to do that, add 10 more goals and remain as mean at the back, that could push us into the Top 10.

However, in practice, as teams transition to a more attacking set-up they tend to concede more goals – so realistically we probably need to find another 10 to 15 goals to get into the Top 10.

Keep them fit and that will be a massive help in the creativity dept. .

We need to be more attacking and, crucially, clinical.

As you say that may result in conceding more. Without sucking eggs, forget tactics, systems and anything else. A basic fundamental of football is to score more than the opposition. You score 3, we'll score 4.