The summer signing has quickly become a hit with fans – and the appreciation goes both ways
Iliman Ndiaye said he is determined to repay the faith shown in him by Everton supporters. The forward has become a fan favourite across the opening months of the season, already earning the prestige of a terrace chant.
That song filled the airwaves every time he picked the ball up at Southampton and is one he quickly took to social media to show his appreciation for.
It was the latest example of the connection growing between the Blues faithful and the Senegal international, who signed from Marseille in the summer.
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The 24-year-old has been hailed as a player who can create a buzz, as shown by his standout moments in Royal Blue. His magnificent finish at Ipswich Town last month earned him one of several standing ovations this season, another arriving when he left the pitch early against Bournemouth.
An electric display had been crucial to giving Everton the 2-0 lead they had when he was withdrawn, the decision to take him off becoming one of several flashpoints amid the fallout that followed Bournemouth’s late comeback in that match.
Ndiaye also scored at Leicester City, taking the ball from Ashley Young and weaving along the edge of the box before giving Everton the lead at the King Power Stadium.
Those experiences have been key to the ease with which he has settled on Merseyside.
Speaking to Everton club media about how quickly he has felt at home Ndiaye, who had previously played once in the Premier League for Sheffield United, said: “I am very pleased. Obviously, I’ve come back to the Premier League, which I love, with a big club in Everton Football Club.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity they’ve given me, and I want to give back. I will give my all to the club, for the fans. Obviously, it’s good to have a good connection with the fans – I’ve tried to give them something on the pitch and they’ve given me love outside the pitch. I’m very happy here.”
Ndiaye was taken off midway through the second half of the defeat at Southampton last weekend, his performance having suffered after he was caught by a heavy Kyle Walker-Peters challenge in the opening minutes. He is set to be assessed ahead of the trip to West Ham United but Everton are hopeful he will be fit to feature.
Of the frustration of that result and the desire to find a quick response, Ndiaye said: “We were very disappointed – for ourselves, the fans, the club. With the quality we have and what we can do, we shouldn’t be getting nothing from the game.
“Personally, I thought it was one of our worst games. We had chances to get goals but, overall, it was nowhere near good enough. We had a disappointing start to the season but we provided a reaction with a five-game unbeaten run – and now we need to show another strong reaction as we look ahead to the weekend. We will give it our all, that’s for sure.”
