Tim Cahill tells David Moyes to drop Everton Star for Bournemouth clash — “They won’t beat Bournemouth with him starting”
Tim Cahill has urged David Moyes to make a bold selection call ahead of Everton’s Premier League meeting with Bournemouth, with the former Toffees midfielder calling for Iliman Ndiaye to be left out of the starting line-up.
The claim puts one of Everton’s most important attacking players at the centre of the build-up to Saturday’s contest at the Vitality Stadium. Ndiaye has started the new Premier League campaign strongly and remains a key part of Moyes’ plans, making any suggestion that he should be dropped a significant talking point.
Everton began the new campaign with a 2–0 victory over Crystal Palace, with Ndiaye providing the assist for Thierno Barry’s goal. He completed the match and was one of the players responsible for giving Moyes’ side an attacking outlet.
That makes Cahill’s reported selection call particularly striking.
Ndiaye has become central to Moyes’ plans
Since joining Everton, Ndiaye has developed into an important attacking option capable of operating across the forward line.
His versatility is one of his biggest strengths. The Senegal international can carry the ball, create opportunities and contribute in the final third, giving Moyes flexibility when setting up his team.
His importance was evident in Everton’s opening Premier League match of the season. Ndiaye started against Crystal Palace and supplied the cross that allowed Barry to head Everton’s second goal.
Current statistics also underline his influence. Ndiaye leads Everton for assists and chances created after the opening league fixture, according to available match data.
For that reason, leaving him out against Bournemouth would represent a major tactical decision.
Bournemouth provide a difficult test
Everton’s next opponent presents a completely different challenge.
Bournemouth will host Moyes’ side at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, with both clubs looking to build momentum early in the Premier League season.
Moyes will need his side to be prepared for an energetic and aggressive Bournemouth team.
Everton’s attacking players will be expected to contribute defensively as well as offensively, particularly during periods when Bournemouth have possession. That could be a factor behind any debate surrounding the starting XI.
If Moyes believes he needs greater defensive discipline or a different attacking structure, he could consider altering his forward line.
However, removing Ndiaye would also mean taking one of Everton’s most creative players out of the equation.
Ndiaye’s form makes the call even more intriguing
The timing of the debate is particularly interesting because Ndiaye has begun the campaign positively.
He was involved in Everton’s victory over Palace and remains one of the club’s most technically gifted attacking players. His ability to create chances gives Everton an important weapon when opponents defend deeply.
The situation has also attracted attention away from the pitch.
Manchester City have reportedly identified Ndiaye as a potential attacking target, with Everton valuing the player at around £80 million.
That reported interest further illustrates his status within Everton’s squad.
Moyes, however, will be focused on the immediate challenge rather than transfer speculation. The manager needs his best available combination of players if Everton are to maintain the positive momentum generated by their opening-day victory.
Moyes faces a difficult decision
The decision over Ndiaye ultimately comes down to what Moyes believes the Bournemouth match requires.
Keeping him in the team would give Everton creativity, pace and the ability to produce something unexpected in the final third.
Leaving him out, meanwhile, would suggest that Moyes believes another tactical approach gives Everton a better chance of controlling the contest.
Neither option would be without risk.
Ndiaye has already demonstrated his ability to influence matches, while Everton’s strong opening-day performance provides little obvious reason for Moyes to make unnecessary changes.
At the same time, Premier League managers regularly have to make selection decisions based on the opposition rather than simply rewarding the previous week’s starting XI.
What happens next?
The answer will come when Moyes names his team at Bournemouth.
If Ndiaye starts, Everton will be trusting one of their most creative players to continue his promising beginning to the campaign. If he is dropped, the decision will immediately attract attention given his importance to the side and the reported interest surrounding his future.
For now, the debate places Moyes under another selection spotlight at the beginning of what promises to be an important season for Everton.
The Toffees have already made a positive start, and Ndiaye has played a significant part in it. But with Bournemouth presenting a new tactical challenge, Moyes must decide whether continuity or a calculated change gives his side the best chance of taking another three points.
Whatever the manager chooses, the decision over Ndiaye could become one of the defining talking points before kick-off — particularly if Cahill’s warning proves to be the subject of intense debate among Everton supporters.
