Iliman Ndiaye has the highest average rating in Everton’s early-season player ratings, with a 7.67 mark that puts him clear of the rest of the squad. Everton are unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions, and Thierno Barry has been part of the same strong start. David Moyes has also had support from Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Beto and Jake O'Brien.
Ndiaye's standing at the top
The gap at the top is not huge, but it is still real. Ndiaye’s 7.67 puts him ahead of Tyrique George on 7.2 and James Tarkowski on 7.17, which is enough to make him the standout performer in the table so far.
That sits neatly alongside the basic usage numbers. Ndiaye has made three appearances, George seven and Tarkowski six, and the early ratings suggest Everton have leaned on a few players who have started quickly rather than spreading the credit widely.
A thin squad behind the numbers
Moyes has done this with a squad of just 18 outfield players, and that is the part of the story that keeps coming back. Everton have already used 23 players so far this term, but four of those, Beto, Ndiaye, Tim Iroegbunam and Nathan Patterson, were sold on transfer deadline day, with Adam Aznou loaned out for the rest of the season.
That leaves Everton short on options even after the unbeaten start, and it helps explain why the ratings table is being led by a small group. Thierno Barry has settled in well enough to be part of that core, while the defensive work of James Tarkowski and the rest of the back line has kept the side stable through the opening seven games.
If Everton can keep the run going after the break, Ndiaye’s lead at the top of the ratings table will be even harder to ignore.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
