Pundit View: PL teams creating blueprint to nullify Everton star after what happened recently

Joe Thomas believes Premier League teams have worked out how to defend against Everton star Iliman Ndiaye on the wing.

The 24-year-old has only notched two goal contributions in the Premier League since arriving from Marseille this summer, though fans have still been very excited by his ability on the ball.

However, during the 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Saturday 2 November, Ndiaye was hooked after just 62 minutes, unable to make enough of an impact up against Kyle Walker-Peters on the left flank.

Speaking via the Royal Blue podcast on YouTube [4 November], Thomas said: “Ndiaye can play on the left but the opposition have a chance to nullify Everton’s best player because he can only go one way.

“Kenny Tete did it very well against Fulham, giving Southampton a blueprint and largely doing it at the weekend, though they were helped by a nasty challenge from Kyle Walker-Peters.”

Everton clearly wasting Iliman Ndiaye talents on left flank

Sean Dyche has a multitude of options in the final third, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dwight McNeil and Ndiaye always three of the first names on the teamsheet.

The latter, however, has been underperforming in the goal department, even if his skills and trickery are enough to deceive on the pitch.

With Calvert-Lewin’s goals drying up once again, the Toffees are struggling to hit the back of the net, with Beto and Michael Keane netting two of the side’s last three goals.

There is no doubt that Ndiaye is far more effective through the middle, proven by his 14 league goals for Sheffield United during the 2022/23 campaign, but this would mean Dyche dropping his favourite forward.

Even with Beto in much better form, unlucky to see his goal ruled out versus Southampton and crashing an effort against the crossbar, Calvert-Lewin always seems to keep his spot in the starting XI.

If Dyche is to get the best out of Ndiaye, he may have to rethink his formation or style of football, with the Senegalese struggling to make a proper impact on the flank.

In other Everton news, West Ham are in the hunt to sign a forward who John Textor wanted to bring to Goodison Park.

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