Background

This is not the first time we have been linked with Stoke City’s Ndiaye, and you can read our previous review of the player here. Now, Peter O’Rourke for Football Insider claims that Everton are in talks to sign him. We have a very small sample size of the player in the English Premier League, but what we do have looks pretty good. Our previous report suggested that given the place Idrissa Gueye has in the squad we do not need his countryman, and though I do not see midfield as a huge need, I am not sure I agree with this conclusion.

Player Profile

It is absolutely correct that Gana and Ndiaye operate the same area of the pitch, and if we brought in the latter, he would be unlikely to start over his countryman. However, our current depth at Gana’s role is sparse, and it seems likely that we would be playing Tom Davies as his replacement. Tom Davies simply does not need to be a player we rely on at this point in his career.

While both Senegalese midfielders rack up considerable defensive actions, Ndiaye produces twice as many successful dribbles, and far more likely to shoot. This ball carrying quality could be a good change of pace from Gana, and it is something the side severely lacks.

Everton Angle

If the price sits around £22m for him as rumored, then it’s too rich for me. I do not see him as a starter, and as we pointed out in our first article he’s not a replacement for Morgan Schneiderlin. Playing two box-to-box midfielders together wouldn’t do.

At a lower price where he could be a reliable depth piece I would love it. I like the player, I like the facets of his game that he adds to the squad, but the number has to be right, and so far it is not. Everton has larger needs in the side, and I doubt the budget will be affected for a midfielder while center back remains such a need.