We all know the story by now. Iliman Ndiaye is being linked with a move to Everton and the Blades face an anxious wait until the window closes.
Of course, there’s nothing in the way of concrete bids from the Toffees as yet. Ndiaye has been linked to the PL club by The Sun, which first made a claim of a £15m bid being readied before it changed to £22m in hours.
Until a bid actually comes in, United fans can rest easy. Further, Everton are in turmoil, meaning as of now, they don’t appear to be the most attractive proposition for any player.
However, one element of added worry could be the potential appointment of Marcelo Bielsa. The former Leeds boss is said to be keen on taking the Everton job, on certain conditions.
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And one of those conditions could be a cause for concern for Sheffield United when it comes to Iliman Ndiaye.
Bielsa’s Everton demands fit with what Ndiaye brings
According to a report from The Daily Mail, Bielsa is not fully sold on the Everton job just yet. He has concerns over their constant changing of managers for a start.
But one of his other key concerns is the lack of pace in the Everton squad. Bielsa plays a high-energy, high-pressing system which requires a high level of fitness and speed. We all saw it at Leeds, and it’s effective when done right.
Worryingly for United, that way of playing is right up Ndiaye’s street. It’s what he does every week for Sheffield United.
He presses from the front, works constantly from minute one until 90, and usually gets his rewards. In terms of a Bielsa player in his system, Ndiaye fits perfectly.
Of course, nothing is set in stone as yet. Everton have other targets, such as Bamba Dieng. But if Bielsa does get the job, then Ndiaye is exactly the sort of player he’ll love. At that point, the Blades might well see that bid come.
