Iliman Ndiaye shows Everton importance yet again as he tops this shock Premier League chart
Iliman Ndiaye has rapidly become the prized asset for Everton since his arrival.
The Senegal international ended last season as his team’s top scorer in the Premier League, in what was his debut campaign for the Toffees, and he has already hit new heights this term.
Ndiaye has made an electric start for Everton in 2025-26, and is quickly forming one of the division’s deadliest wing partnerships alongside Jack Grealish.
David Moyes appears to have a star on his hands in the 25-year-old, and he has now taken his game to an entirely new level by topping this surprising Premier League metric.
Iliman Ndiaye tops entire Premier League in defensive metric for Everton
Ndiaye’s quality on the ball at Everton has become increasingly clear with every passing game, and as a result, it is no surprise to see interest in him from the likes of Juventus ahead of the January transfer window.
Moyes and Co. are adamant that the wideman will be going nowhere this winter, and they have just been handed yet another reason to ensure that he remains in their clutches until the end of the season at least.
For all the former Marseille man’s dynamism on the ball, he actually sits at the top of the entire league for a key defensive stat at the moment.
| Player | Ground Duels Won | Ground Duels Won % | |
| 1 | Iliman Ndiaye | 69 | 49.64% |
| 2 | Elliot Anderson | 67 | 55.83% |
| 3 | Joao Palhinha | 65 | 65% |
| 4 | Mohammed Kudus | 63 | 40.91% |
| 5 | Yankuba Minteh | 60 | 51.72% |
Ndiaye has won a staggering 69 ground duels in league action so far this season, a tally which cannot be matched by any other player, according to Sofascore.
The defensive side of the game is not something that supporters would usually associate with Ndiaye, but the fact that he has performed so well in the challenge so far this term outlines the fantastic attitude he possesses, as well as his desire to work tirelessly for his team.
Nobody at the Hill Dickinson Stadium is under any illusions as to how important their star man is to the Everton project, but this only serves to reiterate his value yet again.
- Read More: Iliman Ndiaye may have to force Everton exit as David Moyes stands firm on transfer ‘speculation’
Iliman Ndiaye also ranks third in Premier League for successful dribbles
Grealish’s arrival at Everton has prompted plenty of attention since it was sealed in the summer, but he has arguably been outshone by Ndiaye so far.
The England international is renowned for his ability to carry the ball and commit defenders, but it is actually his teammate on the opposite flank who has been the most dangerous when travelling with the ball this term.
Ndiaye’s tally of 27 successful dribbles ranks him as the third-best dribbler in the Premier League at the moment, with only Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku and Tottenham’s Mohammed Kudus having completed more.
By comparison, Grealish is sat on just 14.
Nevertheless, Moyes will be ecstatic to have two wingers who carry such a threat at the same time, and they wll both be absolutely vital to his team’s fortunes moving forward.
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest Everton news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account – @goodisonnews