Everton have approached the 2025/26 season with a clear strategy, blending summer acquisitions with tactical continuity.

The Toffees began the campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat at Elland Road but bounced back strongly with a 2-0 home win against Brighton, followed by a 3-2 victory at Molineux.

This start has provided early optimism for supporters, especially given the major changes in the squad over the summer.

David Moyes oversaw the departure of several key figures, including Ashley Young, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, which opened opportunities for new arrivals.

The club welcomed a mixture of youth and experience, signing Thierno Barry from Villareal, Jack Grealish from Manchester City, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea, and Tyler Dibling from Southampton.

Grealish, in particular, has made an immediate impact, registering four assists so far, demonstrating that Everton’s summer business could already be paying dividends.

Amid these high-profile arrivals, one player quietly making waves is Senegalese winger Iliman Ndiaye, whose early-season form has been vital for the Toffees’ attacking strategy.

Ndiaye’s start to the season

Ndiaye, 25, joined Everton in 2024 from Marseille and has quickly emerged as a versatile attacking threat.

Primarily deployed as a left-winger, Ndiaye is also capable of playing as a centre-forward or attacking midfielder.

Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrates with Everton goalscorer Ndiaye against Southampton.

Last season, he contributed nine goals in 33 Premier League appearances, demonstrating an impressive mix of goal-scoring and creative play.

This season, Ndiaye has continued that trend, scoring against Brighton at home and Wolves away.

In the match against Wolves, he recorded 51 touches, completed 22 of 33 passes (70% accuracy), and registered two key passes, as per Sofascore, contributing significantly to Everton’s attacking rhythm.

His 2024/25 metrics underline his all-round impact: nine goal involvements, 3.19 progressive carries per 90, 3.07 progressive passes per 90, and a pass completion rate of 81.8%, as per FBref.

Ndiaye also averaged 0.56 shots on target per 90 with a 42.9% shot-on-target accuracy, generated 2.41 shot-creating actions per 90, and completed 47.6% of take-ons successfully.

These statistics highlight Ndiaye’s dual role as both a goal-scoring outlet and a creative link in the midfield, a player capable of influencing matches in multiple ways.

His versatility is particularly valuable given the club’s summer signings, which have intensified competition for attacking positions.

Ndiaye’s ability to adapt to multiple roles will be critical as Everton seek to maintain consistency and compete effectively in the Premier League.

How Dwight McNeil's value compares to Ndiaye

While Ndiaye has made an encouraging start, the arrivals of Grealish, Dewsbury-Hall, and Dibling inevitably impact other squad members, particularly Dwight McNeil.

Dwight McNeil in action for Everton

McNeil, also 25, joined Everton from Burnley in 2022, while last season, he made 21 league appearances, scoring four goals and registering eight assists, highlighting his ability to contribute both offensively and creatively.

However, McNeil’s game time is likely to be restricted this season due to the new signings.

In the first three league fixtures, he has made only a single appearance, a significant reduction compared to his prior role under Sean Dyche, where he was pivotal in helping Everton maintain their Premier League status.

Despite this, journalist Joe Thomas described him as “magic,” reflecting his vision, creativity, and ability to influence the game in key moments.

Statistically, McNeil’s 2024/25 season showcased his overall contribution.

According to FBref, he registered 2.50 progressive carries per 90, 4.53 progressive passes per 90, a 74.5% pass completion rate, 0.66 shots on target per 90, a 40% shot-on-target accuracy, and a 53.3% successful take-on rate.

These figures illustrate his ability to link play, drive forward from wide areas, and create scoring opportunities for teammates.

While his minutes may be limited in the short term, McNeil remains a valuable asset who can impact matches off the bench or step into the starting lineup when rotation is required. That said, he is no longer a guaranteed starter.

Dwight McNeil

Ndiaye’s early-season form, meanwhile, demonstrates his growing importance to the team, contributing goals, assists, and creative influence. Interestingly, however, it is actually McNeil who is deemed to be the more valuable asset (£22m vs £19m), as per Transfermarkt.

With Moyes' new-look side taking shape though, it may well be McNeil who falls victim of this wave of exciting incomings.