When Man City call you don't say no - Ndiaye

WHAT HAPPENED
Iliman Ndiaye completed a deadline-day move from Everton to Manchester City for £60m and was named in City's starting XI for the 1-0 league win over Coventry. On his debut he attempted eight dribbles, more than any other player in that match.

Earlier in the final week of the transfer window Tottenham had reached an agreement with Everton for Ndiaye, but that move did not proceed after Spurs failed to sell Richarlison. Ndiaye has said he was determined to join a club playing in the Champions League.

KEY CONTEXT
- Ndiaye joined Everton from Marseille for a reported £15m in 2024 and scored 17 goals across his two seasons at the club, which finished in the bottom half of the Premier League in both campaigns.
- He began his career in non-league with Boreham Wood, also playing for Hyde United (noted as being about seven miles from the Etihad) seven years ago, and spent time in the Championship with Sheffield United before moving to Marseille.

WHY IT MATTERS
- The transfer moves a player who excelled on the flanks at Everton into a squad that competes at the highest European level; Ndiaye has said he wanted Champions League football and viewed City as the right destination.
- His immediate inclusion in the starting lineup and the high number of dribble attempts on debut indicate City are prepared to use his direct attacking traits from the outset.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- How Ndiaye adapts to Manchester City’s squad and tactical demands, and whether he can translate his dribbling and goalscoring from Everton into Champions League and Premier League contributions for his new club.
- Squad dynamics following the collapsed Tottenham approach and how City integrate Ndiaye among their established attacking players.

KEY FACTS
- Transfer fee to Manchester City: £60m (deadline day).
- Everton had previously sold Ndiaye for about £15m in 2024.
- Ndiaye scored 17 goals for Everton across two seasons.
- A proposed move to Tottenham failed to proceed after Spurs could not complete the sale of Richarlison.
- On his Manchester City debut he attempted eight dribbles, the most by any player in the match.