Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish continue to shine for Everton, David Moyes’ tactics behind it are genius
Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish have been Everton’s best-performing players this season.
Grealish arrived at Everton on loan from Manchester City in the hope of resurrecting his career.
While the left winger has been demoted to a peripheral role at Man City, Grealish has quickly become one of David Moyes’ most important players this season.
But the buzz around the England international has, in part, detracted from the season Ndiaye has been having with the two forming a formidable duo in the Premier League this season.
How has Illiman Ndiaye performed for Everton this season?
Considering the start to the season he’s had, it is no wonder that Everton’s Ndiaye has become hot property in the transfer market.
His goalscoring stats have been solid:
- Ndiaye has scored four league goals this season
- He has missed zero big chances
- His goal conversion rate is 33 per cent
This means he is currently scoring at a rate of one goal every 229 minutes, according to Sofascore.
The versatile winger has been as effective as he’s been clinical, which is why him being Everton’s top goal scorer in the Premier League shouldn’t come as a surprise.
However, Ndiaye has been an underrated creator this season:
- Ndiaye has created three big chances in the Premier League
- He has made 1.3 key passes per game
- He has assisted once in the league
There is an argument to be made that the 25-year-old has been one of the most complete forwards in the Premier League this season.
But rather than allow him to shine alone, Moyes has devised a way to get the best out of both him and Grealish at the same time.
David Moyes strikes the perfect balance
Grealish has been Everton’s main creator this season, even though Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has created one more big chance in the Premier League.
- Grealish has created four big chances in the league
- He has created 24 chances
- He has recorded four assists
Interestingly, the England international is overperforming his 2.50 expected assists, while Ndiaye, who has 2.40 expected assists but only one assist, is underperforming his.
This indicates that while he is creating fewer chances, Ndiaye is creating better quality ones. Well then, why has Grealish been given more creative rein this season?
The answer is simple: balance.
With a creator on one wing and a goalscorer on the other, Moyes can develop good synergy in all areas of the attack. This makes for a better, more efficient attacking unit – it’s genius.
Therefore, while Ndiaye could become the superior creator if granted more touches, both of their roles suit them perfectly.
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