Why Iliman Ndiaye Can Give Tottenham What They Need After Missing Out on Cody Gakpo

Having missed out on top attacking target Cody Gakpo, Tottenham Hotspur quickly changed tact over the weekend. The Dutchman was high on Roberto De Zerbi’s wishlist. However, once Manchester City registered an interest in the Liverpool man, his head was turned.

City were also credited with an interest in Everton wideman Iliman Ndiaye. It was a case of either Gakpo or the Senegal star. Similarly, Spurs would move for Ndiaye if they failed in their pursuit of the former PSV man.

And so, on Sunday, it was reported that Spurs had agreed a deal in principle with Everton for Ndiaye. Their £60m move for the 26-year-old is offset by the Toffees’ decision to part with an initial £25m to bring Richarlison back to Merseyside.

It’s quite the change in target by the Spurs hierarchy. The north London side have switched from a goal-getting forward, whose physical qualities would suit a team looking to play a nine-and-a-half to a dribbly, albeit versatile, wideman.

Gakpo and Ndiaye compared

Gakpo was wanted because of what he could bring in the opposition penalty area, both in terms of goals and build-up play. Rather than rely on speed, the Netherlands international favours intelligent positional play. The Reds man can operate as a makeshift target man given his size.

Ndiaye, meanwhile, prefers the ball to his feet, and to try and beat a marker in a one-on-one situation. Whereas Gakpo isn’t the quickest across distance, Ndiaye maximises his pace to drive through tight spaces. It’s why the latter ranks second for completed take ons (75) since the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

By comparison, Gakpo has completed 35 take ons over the same period.

However, while Gakpo may struggle to beat a man, he has no such issues in creating for teammates. Since the start of 2025/26, he’s created 59 chances, a hefty rise on Ndiaye’s return of 34.

Of course, Liverpool’s style of play differs considerably from Everton. The Toffees managed a 43.5% possession average in the Premier League last season, the fourth lowest such return in the division. By comparison, Liverpool’s 59.3% return was the second highest. It meant Gakpo had more opportunities to provide for teammates.

In a more dominant Spurs side, this return will naturally rise. And while Gakpo may function effectively in defending from the front, Ndiaye maximises his off-ball work rate to rob opponents of possession more frequently. Indeed, he’s won possession in the attacking third 27 times since the start of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign. Only Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers (both 28) have done so more. Gakpo (21) places 17th for this metric.

Again, though, given the difference in possession return between both teams last season, it stands to reason that Ndiaye would rank better than Gakpo. Even so, it’s a commendable figure, and then some.

Spurs' interest in Ndiaye explained

So why do Spurs want to add Ndiaye to the frontline given they now have an abundance of dribbly wingers capable of beating a man?

Well for a start, it was an area that was found wanting last season. Mohammed Kudus was Spurs’ stand-out for completed take ons having completed at least 13 more (52) than any other player for the capital side. This despite a quad injury sustained in January ruling the Ghana start out for the second half of the season.

Now with Savio on the books and Ndiaye set to join the pair in the capital, head coach Roberto De Zerbi has crucial options out on the flanks. The Italian wants his wide players to remain high and hog the touchline, which he does so well. What’s more, Ndiaye is an incredibly versatile forward. He starts predominantly on the right, but is able to play on the left, and through the middle.

The latter aspect is key. Spurs are missing a player to unlock staunch backlines, especially with Dejan Kulusevski and Xavi Simons sidelined, and James Maddison’s ongoing injury issues. In Savio, Ndiaye and Kudus, De Zerbi would have a trio of attacking stars able to not only punch a hole in an opposition defence, but create for teammates once they work space for themselves.

What’s more, the signing of Omar Marmoush from Manchester City would open up space in the final third for the trio to wreak havoc. De Zerbi favours a 4-2-3-1 setup, and with Marmoush willing to drop deep to help link up the play, this naturally drags markers out of position. The space afforded the supporting act would help Spurs quickly transition from defence to attack, breaking forward at speed to really put teams to the sword.

So, while Ndiaye is a different profile to Gakpo, Spurs are strengthening their frontline regardless. And after what’s been a disappointing start to the 2026/27 season, it’s been made painstakingly clear that the north London side have needed further bolstering in the final third. Supporters will hope it’ll give the club the required lift to really get their campaign up and running.