Why Assane Diao has alleviated any Everton fears of Premier League transition

Assane Diao would present a sizeable transfer gamble for Everton this summer.

David Moyes looks set on strengthening his side at the right wing position before the transfer window closes.

Last season was a poor one for Dwight McNeil and his Toffees future looks highly uncertain as a result, whilst Tyler Dibling also endured a quiet debut campaign on Merseyside.

Diao could offer Everton the chance to find their future down the right flank, with the 20-year-old Como star looking a very bright prospect indeed.

But, signing a player of his age and expecting him to be an instant success in the Premier League would be a big ask of the Senegalese international.

Luckily for Everton, and perhaps a big factor in their reported interest, the winger has already ticked one vitally important box that would give him the best chance of a seamless transition to England's top flight.

Why Assane Diao wouldn't run from Premier League's physical battle

One of the big tests facing foreign exports when arriving in the Premier League, and English football in general, is the physicality of the game on these shores.

If you're not willing to put your body on the line and get stuck in, then not only will that frustrate your supporters massively, but opposition players and coaches will target and look to exploit it.

Indeed, it's this element of plying your trade here that has been the downfall of many a highly-rated talent.

Diao, however, wouldn't appear to have any issue meeting this crucial requirement if he was to sign for Everton.

As per FotMob, his 7.47 duels won per 90 ranked him in the top 12.2 percentile of all Serie A right wingers in 2025-26.

Meanwhile, his 3.24 fouls won per game also placed him in the leading 10.8 per cent of his positional rivals too, showing that he's not afraid to get a bit of a kicking in order to keep playing his game.

In 2024-25, he ranked in the top 7.5 per cent for his duels and fouls won per game in Serie A as well, whilst his 1.65 fouls per game put him in the top three per cent during the first half of that term with Real Betis in La Liga.

So, these are all hugely encouraging signs for Everton, but his role in this summer's World Cup was a reminder that he's still got plenty of growing to do yet.

How Diao fared at 2026 World Cup with Senegal

Goodison News has covered how Everton may still have hope of signing Diao this summer despite their initial offer of £38.8million being turned down by Como.

If that is indeed to be the case and he arrives at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Toffees fans have been given a clear reminder as to why patience may still be required despite those aforementioned positive signs.

Diao is now back at Como after his Senegal team exited the World Cup in the Round of 32 at the hands of Belgium earlier this month.

Senegal boss Pape Thiaw wasn't willing to let Diao have much of a say in his nation's fate at the tournament though, as he managed to culminate just nine minutes of action in North America across their four games.

All nine of those minutes came in Senegal's 5-0 win over Iraq in their final group stage game, as it was Everton's Iliman Ndiaye who proved too hard to budge from the starting lineup.

Overall then, Diao looks to have the character Everton would be looking for to handle the physical side of English football, but perhaps Toffees fans shouldn't expect him to be an instant star.