Idrissa Gana Gueye not crazy for what he’s said about Everton star who’s outshining Mohamed Salah
Idrissa Gana Gueye has backed Iliman Ndiaye to become the first ever Everton player, and just the second ever African, to win the Ballon D’or.
Ndiaye is attracting big interest from Tottenham, among other clubs in the Premier League and around Europe after a strong start to the season.
The winger has been key for the Toffees and has proved a constant threat on the right flank, no matter the opposition.
Everton rejected a £40million enquiry for Ndiaye in the summer, and would be expected to want much more than that if they were to sell the Senegal international next year.
Ndiaye has been named among the most dangerous forwards in the Premier League in recent weeks, with the 25-year-old attracting huge acclaim.
Idrissa Gueye drops huge Ballon D’or claim
Ndiaye could become Everton’s second most expensive sale ever if he does leave next year, but the Toffees will hope their faith in the winger will be rewarded with loyalty.
The Senegal international arrived at Goodison Park in the summer of 2024, after a deal with Marseille worth around £15m was agreed.
| Everton’s top five most expensive sales | Price |
| Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United | £75m |
| Richarlison to Tottenham | £60m |
| Amadou Onana to Aston Villa | £50m |
| John Stone to Man City | £47.5m |
| Anthony Gordon to Newcastle | £45m |
After a difficult period in Ligue 1, there were doubts about the forward’s ability to make an impact in the Premier League, and he started slowly.
Those doubts were soon put to rest, however, and Ndiaye has only gone from strength to strength since.
Speaking to Everton’s official matchday programme, Ndiaye’s international teammate, Gueye, made a big claim.
“I always knew he would be successful here at Everton and, honestly, I don’t think he’s shown his best yet,” the midfielder said.
“I train with him every day so I see his quality every day and I can see what he is capable of. He just needs to believe in himself, keep working hard and have high expectations of himself.
“I told him when he first arrived here that he can be the next African Balon d’Or winner, because he has the quality, he has the technique, he has the skills and everything. “
Ndiaye is outperforming Mohamed Salah
Ndiaye would have to do something extremely special to win the Ballon D’or, but anything is possible in football.
His closest African competition is on the other side of the city, in Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. The winger finished fourth in last year’s ranking after an incredible season.
But Ndiaye is outperforming the Egypt international this season, despite the disparity in point tallies between the clubs.
Both players have scored four goals, with the Everton man scoring his from a lower expected goals tally, while Ndiaye, despite having one less assist, has produced more expected assists.
When it comes to the defensive work, there is barely a comparison. Ndiaye completes 2.5 tackles per game, dwarfing Salah’s 0.2.
And the Senegal international completes more dribbles, more ground duels, and loses possession far less than the 33-year-old.
Of course, it is not just beating Salah that would theoretically win Ndiaye the Ballon D’or, but it is certainly a massive testament to the form of the 25-year-old.
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