Soccer
Iliman Ndiaye says his next move ‘was always going to be City’
Iliman Ndiaye has insisted signing for Manchester City was the obvious choice for him this week after he made his debut for Enzo Maresca’s side in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Coventry.
City signed Ndiaye from Everton in a £65million deadline day deal, but only after Tottenham had agreed terms with the Toffees for the Senegal winger in the final hours of the transfer window.
Ndiaye had been linked with a move away from Everton all summer after turning down offers of a contract extension at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and was delighted to get the move he wanted.
“There was no stress or no panicking,” Ndiaye said. “I always say whatever comes, comes. God decides your future, it’s already written. I was just being patient and when City came through I was buzzing…
“(Maresca is) someone that admired me and as soon as they came through I had only one direction where I wanted to go.”
Asked if he was close to joining Spurs, Ndiaye added: “For me it was always going to be City. I wanted Champions League and playing at one of the best teams in the world.
“I’m not saying Tottenham is not but when Manchester City comes through you don’t say no. It’s been a good week for me and topped off with a win.”
Speaking after the match, Maresca highlighted a number of things Ndiaye must adapt in his game, particularly regarding his movement and positioning as he adjusts from playing in a team that spent much more time defending to one that usually bosses possession.
On facing the sort of low block Coventry deployed on Saturday, Ndiaye said: “I think we’re doing it quite well, we just wait for the opening and be patient on the ball. We have great players who can find these pockets and the last pass so just be patient as we’ve done and it will work out…
“(Maresca) thinks I can play off the left, the right, the middle. It’s just about adapting to the style of play and just be ready…
“I have the freedom to go and do what I can do – dribble and know what I need to do best. The rest is normal: track back, defend, all these things. As long as I do what I do best, it’s good.”
City’s failure to add to Erling Haaland’s 26th-minute header made for a nervy finish at the Etihad as Coventry had late chances to equalise, but they emerged with a third straight win to start the campaign.
Next up is a trip to Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday night before an early Manchester derby at Old Trafford next weekend.
With Omar Marmoush among the players who left City this summer, there is no natural deputy to Haaland anymore, but Maresca believes he has the options he needs to afford the Norway striker a rest as the big fixtures start to pile up already.
“It depends a little bit on the game play, it depends a little bit on the game,” he said. “Antoine (Semenyo) can play nine. I know that Phil (Foden) sometimes plays as a false nine. It depends a bit on the game.”
