David Moyes wants to Build His Team Around Everton’s Best Player
As the Premier League season unfolds, one thing has become increasingly clear for Everton fans and neutrals alike: the identity of the club’s most important and influential player. Amidst a summer of big spending and high expectations, one man has risen above the rest — and it’s not one of the new signings. Iliman Ndiaye has quietly, but emphatically, proven himself to be Everton’s standout performer.
Everton invested over £100 million during the summer transfer window in a bid to strengthen David Moyes’ squad. Ambitious moves brought in players such as Thierno Barry and Tyler Dibling, whose arrivals were met with excitement and anticipation. Yet, neither has managed to fully adapt or make a decisive impact on Merseyside so far. Jack Grealish, one of the club’s marquee additions, has become an important figure in Moyes’ setup, but even he has been overshadowed by a player who was already part of the squad — the dynamic and increasingly talismanic Iliman Ndiaye.
Ndiaye Shines Despite Playing Out of Position
What makes Ndiaye’s emergence even more impressive is the fact that he has often been deployed out of position. Rather than operating through the middle — where his creativity and close control can truly flourish — Moyes has largely used him on the right flank. Despite this, Ndiaye has consistently been Everton’s most productive and eye-catching performer.
His influence was particularly evident in the recent clash against Tottenham Hotspur, where he dominated large portions of the game and created several golden opportunities. If Everton had a more clinical centre-forward, Ndiaye could easily have walked away from that match with two or three assists to his name. Fans on social media even joked that “Ndiaye would be a Ballon d’Or contender if Beto could finish,” a tongue-in-cheek comment that nonetheless underlines how pivotal he has been in creating chances for others.
The Mindset of a Star in the Making
Off the pitch, Ndiaye’s dedication and ambition are just as impressive as his performances on it. He has openly stated that his goal is to become one of the best players in the world — and he is backing up that ambition with relentless hard work, extra training sessions, and deep video analysis of his performances. That drive is reminiscent of players who have gone on to reach elite levels.
When comparing career trajectories, Riyad Mahrez serves as a perfect example. Around the age of 25 — the same age Ndiaye is now — Mahrez transitioned from a talented winger into a genuinely world-class playmaker. Ndiaye possesses similar technical ability, flair, and intelligence on the ball, and under the right system, there’s every reason to believe he could follow a similar path.
Time for Moyes to Build Around Ndiaye
At present, Moyes has been using Ndiaye as a facilitator for others — creating space and chances for the likes of Grealish and Kieran Dewsbury-Hall. While that setup has shown glimpses of promise, it arguably limits what Ndiaye can do best. Everton have in their ranks a player capable of transforming games on his own, yet he’s being asked to play a supporting role. That must change.
The logical next step is for Moyes to reconfigure his attacking structure around Ndiaye, moving him into a central position — ideally the number 10 role, or even as a false nine. Transfermarkt data supports this adjustment, showing that Ndiaye has played more matches as a central forward than in any other position throughout his career. Allowing him to operate in his natural role would unlock his creativity and finishing instinct, while also giving Everton’s attack a new level of fluidity and unpredictability.
Ndiaye himself has admitted he’s not as comfortable playing off the right, and it’s evident that when he drifts centrally, Everton look more dangerous. Moyes now faces a critical tactical decision: continue using Ndiaye as a wide playmaker, or reshape his team around a player who is quickly proving to be the heartbeat of the squad.
The Verdict
Every great team has a focal point — a player around whom everything revolves. For Everton, that player is Iliman Ndiaye. With the right support, tactical freedom, and faith from his manager, he has the potential not only to elevate Everton’s performances but to establish himself among the Premier League’s top creative talents.
David Moyes has spent heavily to strengthen his squad, but perhaps his most valuable asset was already at the club all along. Now, it’s time for him to recognize that and build his Everton project around Iliman Ndiaye — the player who’s fast becoming the face of the team’s future.