Everton's £17m signing tells fans what to expect - and he could be the difference maker this season

Everton’s summer dealings have all been aimed at improving the overall quality of their side across the pitch - and none may be as important as the signing of forward Iliman Ndiaye.

With the league’s lowest goals from open-play last season - and the second lowest overall - Sean Dyche knew that he needed to bolster his frontline. Jesper Lindstrom will also give a new level of dynamism and pace that will greatly benefit their attacking play and the re-signing of Jack Harrison on loan adds depth that is needed.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the club’s top scorer, followed by Abdoulaye Doucoure who operated as an advanced midfielder given license to join attacks and cause chaos with his size and strength. While his efforts across the Dyche-era have been extremely crucial, there was always a sense that they needed a more creative and attacking-minded player in that role - and Ndiaye, 24, more than fits the bill.

"I am really excited to score a lot of goals and I am a player that likes to get fans out of their seats.” Ndiaye told BBC Sport and his position as an advanced attacker with license to roam will be their most natural in that role since James Rodriguez was at the club. He could play a similar role to that of Richarlison as well, as a second striker who can always be an outlet. Either way, he was needed.

The last friendly game against AS Roma showed how he will fit in at the club, as he produced several moments of quality and linked up with Calvert-Lewin and Lindstrom and he showed a willingness to shoot from distance, which is also sorely needed. When compared to Everton’s strikers last season, he was far superior in expected assists, attacking actions, passes received and passes into the box.

Most of those figures are due to the fact he played as a second striker, often to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but the figures paint a picture of someone who wants to receive the ball and make things happen with great regularity. His figures last year weren’t the strongest as he struggled to adapt in the Marseille side but it wasn’t all his fault. The club went through three managers and he was utilised in multiple positions, which is always going to make it difficult to find rhythm in a new side. Five goals and four assists in all competitions wasn’t a disaster but he is capable of far more in front of goal.

What does stand out is his ability to take players on (94% success rate) long pass success rate (96th percentile) and his high number of ball recoveries (91st percentile) - he’s all action with bags of energy and very robust - and he may just be the missing spark to ignite this withered Everton attack with the help of a few new faces.