The signs were there from a Manchester City winger in his debut | OneFootball

Alongside Enzo Fernandez, Iliman Ndiaye made his Manchester City debut on Saturday in City’s 1-0 win over Coventry City. The Senegalese international was signed by City on deadline day from Everton. Ndiaye has got his City debut out of the way and he showed signs of what he can do at the Etihad. Although there is plenty for him to learn, which Enzo Maresca pointed out after his team’s win at the Etihad Stadium.

Iliman Ndiaye was tidy in his Manchester City debut against Coventry City.

Enzo Maresca played Iliman Ndiaye on the left wing against Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Ndiaye’s teammates did make an effort early on to get him into the game and onto the ball as quickly as possible. The Senegalese international didn’t have a massive influence on Saturday’s match. But he did show enough glimpses to indicate that he will play an important role for Enzo Maresca’s side.

In possession, Ndiaye played it safe and helped City recycle possession. The Senegalese international didn’t create any real opportunities from the left but he did take up dangerous positions at times. In the second half, Ndiaye made one surging run out of his own half to play City out of trouble. That run showed what Ndiaye is capable of, and when he takes up better positions in the final third, it will likely be a constant component of his play.

Out of possession, Iliman Ndiaye got back well and was more than willing to aid his team’s cause. That is a key element of Ndiaye’s overall game. Iliman Ndiaye is a hard-working player and you could see what he’ll offer this Manchester City side on both sides of the ball against Coventry City. All told, Ndiaye provided a glimpse of what he’ll bring to this City side when he is settled into his role.

Enzo Maresca was happy with Ndiaye’s debut but he pointed out that he needs to learn the City way which will come in time.

Speaking after Manchester City’s win over Coventry City, Enzo Maresca pointed out that at times Iliman Ndiaye got himself into the wrong positions when City had the ball. However, Maresca explained that the Senegalese international had only trained with his teammates for two days ahead of Saturday’s match. In time, Ndiaye will learn what is required. Maresca told the media after the match: “Ili [Ndiaye] just had two sessions. He needs to understand how to move. Most of the time he was moving the wrong way, wrong position.”

“But again, he needs to learn, and for sure he’s going to learn. When Marc Guehi had the ball, he [Ndiaye] was dropping a lot. We don’t need that. We need him in the last third so he can be a little higher. That space was more for Josko Gvardiol.”

“It’s the same this side; when [Abdukodir] Khusa had the ball, sometimes Antoine [Semenyo] was dropping, but Antoine has to stretch. That space is for Enzo [Fernandez]. But it’s normal. With time they’re going to learn the way we want them to play.”

Iliman Ndiaye showed signs of what he’ll add to this Manchester City side against Coventry City. He didn’t have a pronounced influence on the match but there were plenty of small positives to take from Ndiaye’s performance. The Senegalese international will be a weapon for Enzo Maresca’s side and once he comes to grips with what his manager expects, Ndiaye will be an important component of City’s attacking play.