Chelsea receive Jack Grealish transfer verdict

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 18 Dec 2025 12:43 GMT
• 4 min read

News

Chelsea have been given Jack Grealish's seal of approval on proposed transfer target Iliman Ndiaye ahead of a possible 2026 deal.

The Senegal international has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most talented attackers since his move to the Toffees last summer and he has been widely tipped to secure a high-profile transfer next year.

Current ETV

Iliman Ndiaye

F (R), M (RL)

Everton

Iliman Ndiaye

F (R), M (RL)

Everton

€43.2M

ETV Range

€38.9M - €47.5M

View full profile

Several clubs have been linked with a move for Ndiaye in recent weeks, including Liverpool, while Chelsea have emerged as possible suitors as they continue their pursuit of additional attacking reinforcements.

Rumours of a Stamford Bridge switch have intensified in recent days after Blues captain Reece James was spotted in deep conversation with Ndiaye following Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday.

Everton are reluctant to sanction a sale, but they are expected to face a major battle in order to retain the 25-year-old, who is rated extremely highly by his Toffees team-mate Jack Grealish.

Jack Grealish issues Iliman Ndiaye seal of approval

When asked if Ndiaye is the most skilful player in the Premier League by Stan Sport, Everton and former Chelsea star Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall said: “He’s definitely up there.”

Grealish then added: “There’s not really many like that. Jeremy [Doku] is so good at one-vs-one’s, Savinho is quite skilful.

“Saka, for example, is so good, he’s one of the best wingers in the world, but he’s not skilful.”

Asked to define what being ‘skilful’ is, Grealish said: “Tricks. Putting someone in a five-a-side pitch where it’s tight and they’re just going in and out of people. A lot of wingers that I play with, they need space.

“Like Doku, for example, you wouldn’t put him in a small five-a-side pitch. But Ndiaye wouldn’t need that space, he’s just in and out whereas Doku might need a bit of space for his pace, Saka as well.”

Grealish was then pushed for a definitive answer on whether he would agree that Ndiaye is the most skilful player in the Premier League and he replied: “Yeah, for sure.”

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