Iliman Ndiaye talks about adapting to his new role on the right

Iliman Ndiaye is getting used to his new role on the right side of Everton’s attack after making the move to the opposite flank following Jack Grealish’s arrival this summer.

Signed from Marseille in the summer of 2024, Ndiaye was one of the best players for the Blues last season and scored 11 goals in all competitions - the highest for an Everton player. He spent the entire season on the left flank, where his creativity, flair and dribbling capabilities led to some amazing moments, including the two goals he scored in the final official match for the men’s team at Goodison Park.

This season, however, Ndiaye has had to contend with a new role and responsibility after moving to the right flank. While the change comes with its fair share of challenges, Ndiaye is leaving no stone unturned in his attempts to adapt to the role as quickly as possible.

“I’m still getting used to it and finding my best ways,” he reveals. “The way I’m playing on the left is different from the way I’m playing on the right, but it’s good. I’ve scored two goals playing on the right, coming in at the back post and being alive in there.

“I feel like I can still do more – score more goals, create goals – but I’m still learning the role. It’s new to me because, generally, in the past, I’ve tended to play more off the left or down the middle. I’ve played on the right a few times but not as much. I’ve played on the right for Senegal recently, too.

“I say it a lot – as a forward player, you want to be able to play in those different positions across the line. It’s not necessarily easy because you don’t have the same actions and spaces on one side compared to the other but it’s about getting used to all of that as quickly as possible.

“I’ve been doing a lot of work on it, in training and through analysis sessions with the backroom team.

“I’m working on different situations I’ll find myself in on the right side and trying to get better and better. I’m working on my positioning, where and when I can attack space, where I can dribble and things like that. Obviously, the more you work on it, the better you will be.”

Ndiaye has made a positive start to the season, scoring two goals and registering an assist in six matches. He also became the first player to score a goal in an official match at Hill Dickinson Stadium after netting the opener in Everton’s 2-0 win over Brighton earlier this season.

 

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