Iliman Ndiaye can be key to Everton success vs Chelsea in role change
Iliman Ndiaye will surely want to make a mark for Everton against Chelsea on Saturday before leaving for the African Cup of Nations.
David Moyes’ team will travel to Stamford Bridge on 13 December in the Premier League, with the Toffees looking to cement their place in the European spots.
Ndiaye will join the Senegal squad and leave for AFCON soon, along with compatriot Idrissa Gueye, but he could potentially be key to the Merseyside outfit’s success against Enzo Maresca’s team.
The Scottish manager will want to keep Cole Palmer quiet to have the best chance of succeeding in London, and he has the perfect partnership to do that.
Vitalii Mykolenko and Iliman Ndiaye to shut down Cole Palmer threat vs Everton
Jack Grealish has made the left-wing his own since moving on loan to the Toffees from Manchester City in the summer, but Moyes may be set to make a slight tweak to his team at Stamford Bridge.
Ndiaye was a regular on the left side of the attack before shifting to the other side this season, but he may be set to play in a familiar position against Chelsea due to his defensive output.
The Senegal international ranks in the top three for ground duels won in the Premier League this season with 87, as per Sofascore.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Scottish manager use the former Olympique Marseille star to nullify the threat from arguably the London outfit’s most important player.
Palmer was recently missing from Chelsea’s training, but he’s expected to be ready for the game against the Merseyside outfit and has played on the right-wing for Maresca this season.
After recent wins over Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth, the Toffees have a chance to make a statement by getting the three points in London.
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David Moyes already knows who will play amid Iliman Ndiaye absence
Tyler Dibling seems like the obvious choice for Moyes on the right-wing when Ndiaye leaves for AFCON, but the veteran boss may opt for something different.
Everton have the likes of Dwight McNeil and Carlos Alcaraz at their disposal, who can play in the Senegal international’s position.
| Game against | Minutes played |
| Newcastle United | 10 |
| Bournemouth | 10 |
| Nottingham Forest | 17 |
McNeil has been getting more minutes under the Scottish manager in recent weeks, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get opportunities in the coming weeks at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Alcaraz has played in the number 10 position, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall playing deeper amid Gueye’s absence, and all signs could potentially point towards the former Burnley star starting in some of the upcoming games.
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