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Iliman Ndiaye display vindicates Everton decision as new Jack Grealish transfer question emerges Christopher Beesley examines a major talking point from Everton's 1-1 draw with Lille in their final pre-season friendly Earlier this summer, some were ready to pack Iliman Ndiaye’s bags for him and lead Everton’s magic man towards the exit door. However, with less than a week to go now until the new Premier League season kicks off, the Senegal international is back with a bang and Blues must hope there isn’t a sting in the tail before the transfer window closes. Back in June, when it emerged that Ndiaye had turned down several new contract offers since the turn of the year, this correspondent saw with his own eyes, a couple of Manchester United fans rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of him coming to Old Trafford after being told by a third party: “He was theirs if they wanted him.” Everton have maintained throughout though that their twinkle-toed talisman is not for sale though, with manager David Moyes reiterating as such ahead of the trip to Brentford on Grand National Day, insisting that in his eyes, the prospect of parting with his prize asset was a non-starter that wouldn’t get over the first fence. While the player was away on his post-World Cup break after representing Senegal, there were reports that Ndiaye had agreed terms over a lucrative deal with Al Hilal. His father subsequently poured cold water over such suggestions though, insisting after being called by his son that he is “not going anywhere,” while adding: “He knows he can earn a lot of money there, but he also thinks his level could drop. He’s not the type to prioritise money over his career.” Everton FA Cup-winning hero Anders Limpar duly told the ECHO: “How much money does a person need in life? These guys are already multi-millionaires so why go to Saudi Arabia when you’re 26? You got to Saudi Arabia when you’re 36! “Go to Saudi Arabia when you no longer feel close enough to the pace of the Premier League. It’s never good to talk about greed in football but come on, why would you ever go to Saudi Arabia when you can play in the Premier League?” Indeed, someone who is 36 and has gone to play in Saudi for newly promoted Diriyah Club, Idrissa Gueye replied to a photograph put out by Everton showing Ndiaye joining up with his Blues team-mates at their Germany training camp with: “Here to stay,” accompanying his message with a blue love heart emoji. Whatever happens in the future, Ndiaye holds a unique place in Everton history having netted their final goal at Goodison Park and first at Hill Dickinson Stadium, so Blues who have been left heartbroken too many times in the past when the club cashed in on fan favourites, must hope that resolve remains strong ahead of any potential late interest from rivals closer to home who can offer the Champions League football the former Olympique Marseille man revealed he craves in interviews ahead of the World Cup finals. As their failure to land Jarrad Branthwaite two years ago shows, the days of Man United just taking whatever they wanted from Everton, be that Wayne Rooney, Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku, or even Moyes himself – although Jose Mourinho’s new Netflix documentary casts a new light on the Blues boss being ‘The Chosen One’ when Sir Alex Ferguson summoned him to his house to tell his fellow Glaswegian he was his handpicked successor – should now be over. The Red Devils are not the force they once were and Everton now find themselves on a surer financial footing under the ownership of The Friedkin Group. Having made his comeback off the bench in Stuttgart, Ndiaye has started both of the Blues’ last two friendlies and netted from the penalty spot in each. But while he has always been a cool finisher in such situations from 12 yards out, boasting a 100% record from the five he has taken in competitive matches for the club, what has been more encouraging has been his return to form from open play. Perhaps Everton might have made it over the line and secured at least one form of the European football Ndiaye aspires to had he been as assured in a clutch of one-on-one situations against opposition keepers during the final weeks of last season. However, building on his encouraging display in the 3-1 win over Premier League rivals Newcastle United at Murrayfield on Wednesday evening, he elevated things to a higher level against Lille. Back on the left wing where he sparkled so regularly throughout the final season at Goodison Park, even with his low centre of gravity that makes him such a dangerous opponent, the Rouen-born player stands head and shoulders above his peers in terms of what he can do with a football at his feet. The body swerves and clever passes were back to leave his Ligue 1 opponents chasing shadows and it was only when Ndiaye and company left the field following seven changes in one go just before the midway point of the second half that the pendulum swung with the Blues shadow squad finishing the contest in more disjointed fashion. While the squad remains inexplicably light of quality in the full-back berths – Moyes had Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman in his pomp when he finished at the club first time around – all of a sudden, Everton have got four encouraging-looking prospects in the wide areas, which is how it should be given that Premier League teams need a couple of quality options in each position. Tyrique George, mostly a substitute for his loan spell in the second half of last season, has stepped things up over the friendlies and was rewarded for a string of impressive displays with his first goal for the Blues to cap the 3-1 victory over Newcastle. Tyler Dibling is still waiting for his big breakthrough moment, having been denied by Lille keeper Berke Ozer tipping his effort over the bar on Saturday, but we are at least now finally seeing glimpses of the huge promise he showed at Southampton, earning him his big money move last summer. Then, off the bench, Brennan Johnson came on for his Everton debut and displayed the lightning pace that makes him such a threat. Things didn’t work out for the Wales international at Selhurst Park – Crystal Palace deploying a wing-back formation could be the answer – but having been a regular scorer at both Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur, the 25-year-old’s cameo showed he has the potential to rediscover his shooting boots on Merseyside. All this combined suggests that if there aren’t any more outgoings in this area of the pitch before the transfer window closes – Johnson of course arrived in a swap deal for Dwight McNeil – then perhaps the Blues might even be tempted to resist making a play to bring Jack Grealish back and deploy funds elsewhere. Maybe being able to sacrifice a second coming at Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first £100million English footballer could even help Everton to get what remains an essential purchase of a new right-back over the line?