Iliman Ndiaye given brutal Man City reality check by ex-Everton man

Iliman Ndiaye has been told he left Everton one year too early after struggling to hit the same level at Man City.

That is according to experienced former Tottenham, Everton and Aston Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The Senegalese winger made the late move in the summer to the Manchester-based side after becoming one of Everton's star players.

Manchester City agreed to a fee in the region of £65million on deadline day.

However, his decision to make that transfer now has come under question amid concerns emerging over his possible future game time.

With Jeremy Doku coming back from injury, and proving to be more effective against Liverpool, Ndiaye could be set for a spell on the sidelines.

Iliman Ndiaye failing to light up Man City after Everton exit

Man City are a team full of stars, and Ndiaye will now have to gear up for a tough battle to maintain his starting XI spot.

With Phil Foden to come back into the fold, and now the return of Doku, it will not be easy to keep it.

And Ndiaye's move to the Citizens has been questioned.

"Well, if I'd have been him, I wouldn't have [made the move]. Listen, if you're a big fish, and I wouldn't say Everton are a small club, but if you're a big fish in a small pond, you're getting recognition, as he was at Everton, every week," King told Football Insider.

"Without any doubt, he was the best player. He made the move. Now, he knows the score and who he's going to be competing against. He's made the move to Manchester City.

"Now, all the big names that go to Manchester City, being a big name doesn't guarantee you a starting position in that football club. Personally, I'd have stayed where I was.

"At least for another year, I'd have stayed there. Because I think he showed that when he came off and Doku came on, the game changed, didn't it?

"But Ndiaye, he can be as effective as Doku, that's for sure, but he just didn't get in the game."

Ndiaye already falling behind at Man City

Among Man City's regular fixtures out wide, Ndiaye is the only player yet to register a goal involvement for Enzo Maresca.

The Senegal international does have one assist, but that came when he was still playing for Everton.

If he continues to have little impact, fears over him being unable to produce for City as he did for the Toffees will only grow.