Let’s not sugarcoat it: Everton are in a concerning position following the events of the summer transfer window.

David Moyes must be dismayed. His squad has been weakened by the owners’ negligence, and hopes of squeezing into Europe feel slim at this stage.

The disaster surrounding Folarin Balogun’s collapsed transfer to the Merseyside outfit understandably dominates the headlines right now, but Everton’s failings stretch further than that - with Iliman Ndiaye sold to Manchester City without being replaced.

Why selling Ndiaye was a mistake for Everton

For the last two years, Ndiaye has managed to paint colour across an otherwise grey Evertonian landscape.

Moyes managed to raise standards after the wheels fell from under Sean Dyche, but there’s no question that the Toffees are still seeking some extra gear which has prevented the club from finding the speed to overtake their Premier League rivals and into the European sphere.

What a player, sold to Man City for around £65m. Ndiaye is the real deal, and though it's painful that he has left, there was always a tacit sense on Merseyside that he might eventually start seeking pastures new. Unforgivable, however, is the inability to source and sign an effective replacement.

It's too late now, and even Brennan Johnson can't be argued as the Senegal international's step-in, for he joined from Crystal Palace in a straight swap which saw Dwight McNeil head to south London.

Reports from Spain suggest that Everton registered an interest in Real Betis forward Abde Ezzalzouli, a "relentless" dribbler, according to analyst Ben Mattinson, who has the skillset to cover over the holes left by a departed Ndiaye. In keeping with the wider ineptitude at the Hill Dickinson this summer, it proved too late.

Everton have fight and togetherness and courage, but the owners have a lot to answer for, with the Toffees now sure to struggle to gather than manpower to challenge at the top-end of the Premier League table. Beto and Ndiaye have been Everton's most reliable goalscorers in recent years, and both are gone.

One thing's for certain: Moyes is going to have to be resourceful, and he's going to have to call upon certain fringe stars who struggled to catch his eye last year.

Everton's mega-money outcast can be the new Ndiaye

Ndiaye only scored six goals in the Premier League last season, but he had such influence, winning duels, beating opponents for pace, showcasing startling skills on the ball, getting stuck in from a defensive standpoint.

Everton are going to have to start thinking about how they can counter this disastrous situation, and Moyes could certainly ease the sale of Ndiaye by helping Tyler Dibling realise his potential in an Everton shirt.

Dibling, 20, signed for Everton in a £40m deal last summer, leaving relegated Southampton. He was hailed as a "world-class talent" by his former youth coach Andy Goldie during the early months of 2024/25, but since moving to Merseyside, has lost his way.

Last season, Moyes seemed allergic to playing the versatile attacking midfielder. Dibling played 14 times in the Premier League, starting only four times, and he failed to score or assist.

But this is a prospect with incredible athletic qualities. He is rapid, and the ball seems to stick to his feet when he darts forward and into the danger area.

At Southampton, Dibling was a young superstar, but now, he is trying to rediscover himself on Merseyside. But with such tremendous pace and athleticism, he might just be the perfect Ndiaye heir, having won 4.2 duels per game in the Premier League across 2024/25, dazzling at Southampton and attracting intense interest.

The fact that Everton won the race speaks volumes, with many top clubs lining up. And now that a flashy phenom in Ndiaye has left for a new challenge, the floor is open for such a player to make his mark.

Dibling has a long way to go before he can safely say he has lived up to the hype, but Moyes needs to start giving him more opportunities, putting an arm around his shoulder and encouraging him to realise that 'world-class potential'.

He has the pace and lightning movements on the ball to make it happen, stepping in and providing in the berth still warm after Ndiaye left and signed for City.