Talented forward compared to Sadio Mane by teammate
Soccer Football - Championship - Sheffield United v Reading - Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain - August 30, 2022 Sheffield United's Iliman Ndiaye celebrates scoring their third goal Action Images/Ed Sykes EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, Sheffield United have a star on their hands, and his name is Iliman Ndiaye.
Ndiaye’s scintillating form has led to him being called up for Senegal, with every possibility of him featuring in the World Cup.
The Senegalese international has netted five times in the Championship this season, registering nine shots on target. Ndiaye’s chances so far this season should have only seen him score 2.79 goals this season. It’s no surprise to see him outperform his xG number because some of his finishes have been outrageous.
Dating back to the end of last season, Ndiaye has made eleven goal contributions in his last fifteen Championship appearances. It is with no surprise that Sheffield United are eager to tie the 22-year-old down to a long-term contract.
Sheffield United’s stalwart, Chris Basham, took to the Alan Biggs show to discuss the talents of Iliman Ndiaye:
“He’s so hard to play against. He uses his body so well, his feet are so fast and he’s so powerful.
“He’s going to be elite. He’s learning very well, his finishing is good and he’ll be the first to put his hand up [to say] it can be better at times. But he’s only 22 and he’s scoring some outrageous goals.”
The Blades defender added:
“I’ve said before that Mane was the hardest player I’d ever played against and he [Ndiaye] is right up there. He’ll be up there for sure.
“He’s from the same country as well and produces the same quality. He’ll be right up there and it’s a credit to his family, and himself more than anything, for doing what he’s done so far.
“But there’s more to come, for sure.”
Iliman Ndiaye will be in action for Senegal tomorrow afternoon when his nation faces off against Iran at 3:30 PM. Ndiaye didn’t feature last Saturday in Senegal’s 2-0 win over Bolivia, which could mean he is set to start tomorrow.
Sheffield United supporters will be hoping that their key player comes back 100% healthy, ready for the game against Birmingham at Bramall Lane this coming Saturday.