Iliman Ndiaye produced an outstanding display in Marseille’s 4-1 win against Montpellier, with his performance being hailed as a turning point and a potential catalyst by the Marseille faithful. He scored a goal, won a penalty, and showcased great influence throughout the game.
Reflecting on the player’s spotlight return, Paul Heckingbottom, the former coach of Iliman Ndiaye at Sheffield United, was interviewed by Hebdo La Provence, where he discussed the qualities of the Senegalese international. « What sets him apart is his ability to manipulate the ball in tight spaces with opponents around him. If you play him on the wing, he may not have the same athleticism as other wingers who cover more ground at a higher speed. What he excels at more than others is receiving the ball in tight spaces and eliminating his opponents. If you put him one-on-one against an athletic defender on the wing, he loses his advantage. But if you position him in the middle of the field, where agility and ball control are crucial, he is fantastic, » he noted.
Heckingbottom still regrets Ndiaye’s departure and acknowledges that the player followed his heart by joining Marseille. « I did everything I could to prevent it, but his heart is set on Marseille, and that’s where he wants to be. Marseille is a big dream for him. He talked to me about it all the time. I understood. But playing in the Premier League was also a big dream for him. That’s why the decision was so difficult to make. He knew that Sheffield United fans loved him. He knew that the manager himself had great confidence in him because he was going to play and experience the Premier League. So, the decision was tough. But in the end, it was his love for Marseille and his heart that led him to make this decision, » he understands.
