'The final bit...': Micah Richards says one Everton player would be so much better if he picked the right pass

Everton might be flirting with relegation again this season but Micah Richards believes they have a player who could really drive them forward if he learns to improve in the final third.

The Toffees lost at home to Nottingham Forest last time out but also picked up a valuable point at Manchester City to show they’re still fighting.

Of course, in that game with City, Iliman Ndiaye scored a wonderful goal to further enhance his growing reputation at Goodison Park.

Ndiaye signed in the summer from Marseille after initially catching the eye at Sheffield United the season prior.

And according to Micah Richards, Ndiaye is well on his way to being a top player if he can just hone his craft a touch.

Micah Richards says what Iliman Ndiaye needs to do to improve at Everton

Speaking on the latest episode of the Rest Is Football podcast, Richards admitted to being impressed by a few Everton players.

In particular, Richards believes forward Iliman Ndiaye is a top talent, albeit he needs to sharpen up his decision making.

They’ve got some good players though, Everton. You know who’s really impressed me in the last couple of weeks? Mangala in midfield and then Ndiaye,” Richards said.

“It’s just the final bit with Ndiaye now. He looks really good, gets on a ball, he’s got a drop of his shoulder and I know he scored that wonderful goal against Manchester City, wasn’t it? But there was opportunities in the game today, if he would just play the right pass at the right moment, then they could be a better team going forward.”

Iliman Ndiaye good enough for Manchester City

Iliman Ndiaye is one of those infectious players who fans instantly warm to and Everton fans have very much done just that since he signed.

Of course, he could score more goals and that’s what Richards is getting at here, while if he picked the right pass he might have a few more assists as well.

However, Ndiaye is still looking the business and has been told he’s good enough for Man City.

“Everton have a player in Iliman Ndiaye who would get in the Manchester City team, he is that good. Today, he would get in over Savinho and Jeremy Doku,” Paul Robinson said about Ndiaye on Boxing Day.

Sean Dyche, then, will be hoping that Ndiaye can start to show that sort of level with more regularity and if he does, the Toffees will be just fine.