This summer, lovers of Olympique de Marseille experienced difficult times. They saw several players leave for other lands while not welcoming any recruits. At the same time, some exes have been the subject of big transfers. Jonathan Rowe, who left only a year ago, joined Atalanta after a great year at Bologna. Amar Dedic has been recruited by Newcastle. Iliman Ndiaye was courted by Al-Ittihad, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City. Roberto De Zerbi wanted to welcome him to make him a flagship player in his project and use Everton’s desire to repatriate Richarlison to conclude this deal. The London team was also counting on the interest of the Skyblues in Cody Gakpo to advance its pawns for the Senegalese. But Liverpool closed the door to the Dutchman, who remained at the dock.
In any case, the Cityzens accelerated to offer Iliman Ndiaye, who absolutely wanted to join the residents of the Etihad Stadium. Enzo Maresca and sporting director Hugo Viana did everything to recruit this player who was a priority. But they didn’t promise him anything, except a starting place if he worked well, according to our information. Everything then quickly came together and the transfer of the native of Rouen could be made official via a press release. “Manchester City are delighted to announce the signing of Iliman Ndiaye on a five-year contract. The 26-year-old Senegalese international arrives at the Etihad Stadium with significant Premier League experience after two years at Everton. » A crazy trajectory for the player who has great ambitions at City, where he wants to win titles and where he wanted to play in the Champions League to definitively achieve his goals, those around him admitted to us.
Ndiaye is already valuable
“I have worked my whole life to have an opportunity like this. City are one of the best clubs in the world. Growing up, I saw the club win everything. Being able to write my own chapter in such an exceptional story is a unique opportunity, and I am determined to seize it with both hands. My career hasn’t always been easy, but I always believed that I could play for a team that fights for the biggest trophies. Today I am there. It’s an incredible feeling. City fans can rest assured that I will give everything to bring further success to this exceptional club. » And they have no reason to doubt after the Senegalese international’s first steps in Manchester.
Arriving rather into the rhythm since he had made three appearances at Everton before his departure (an assist), the 26-year-old was used four times by the Skyblues. He started on September 5 with an entry start against Coventry in the Premier League (87 minutes), before continuing on September 8 at Porto in the Champions League (28 minutes). The English press spoke of a good entry on his part. After that, he played 45 minutes against Manchester United. A meeting where he was simply brilliant. On the bench in the Cup against Norwich, he continued against Sunderland on September 20. Here again, Ndiaye was good, he who made his opponents dizzy. His debut is therefore very promising, although he has not yet been decisive (0 goals and assists).
Foden has one hell of a client in front of him
But his contribution and his impact are already very interesting in a few matches in a team where he is making his mark and must find automatisms. Proof of this is, the Manchester Evening News gives him a score of 8 for his start to the season. “A cautious start against Coventry, but then he was superb against Porto, United then Sunderland and he is already in contention for a starting place. » Indeed, the former OM player has a real card to play according to Salim Baungally, journalist and specialist in English football. “His transfer is very positive. There is one thing that should not be forgotten about him, and that is that he knows the Premier League very well unlike others. He was at Everton before joining City, where things are going well. »
He continues: “on the right side, he is in competition with Phil Foden, who had taken a red card (against MU, editor’s note). As a result, Ndiaye started in the last match. He likes this right side. Today, there is only positive things about him. Maresca continues to believe in Foden. He wants him to be a bit like his Cole Palmer who he managed at Chelsea. But Nidaye has a huge card to play to get ahead of the Englishman and eventually start. Ndiaye, who has a very good rating in England, really has a shot to make. He has quite an effective impact on this side, perhaps even stronger than Foden. Ndiaye can take the depth on the right side. What Maresca doesn’t have too much on this side, since Foden transplants into the axis. It is very interesting for Maresca. » But it will surely also be for Patrick Vieira, the new coach of Senegal. Launched into his new adventure in Manchester, Iliman Ndiaye sees life in sky blue.
