The Aporia · Iliman Ndiaye explains why he chose Man City transfer over Tottenham: 'I was being patient'

Iliman Ndiaye explains why he chose Man City transfer over Tottenham: 'I was being patient'

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Ferridge, A. (2026, September 6). Iliman Ndiaye explains why he chose Man City transfer over Tottenham: 'I was being patient'. Evening Standard. https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/ndiaye-man-city-tottenham-transfer-b1295976.html

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Quick Summary

Iliman Ndiaye explained why he chose Manchester City over Tottenham in an interview after making his City debut against Coventry. He stated that it didn't take much for City to turn his head, and when they came through with an offer, he was excited because Enzo Maresca admired him and wanted him at the club. Ndiaye said he was always going to choose Manchester City because of its reputation as one of the best teams in the world and the opportunity to play in the Champions League. He also mentioned that Tottenham's offer didn't come close to matching City's appeal, although he had previously considered playing for Tottenham.

Written by AI on 2026-09-07, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

Manchester City, led by manager Enzo Maresca, moved to the top of the Premier League with a win over Coventry City. The team's star player, Erling Haaland, scored a crucial goal in the first half, which proved decisive for his third goal in as many games this season. However, despite their victory, Manchester City's performance was not perfect, and they needed some late saves from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to deny Coventry a point.

This was Manchester City's third consecutive Premier League win under Maresca, who has made significant changes to the team after Pep Guardiola's decade-long tenure. The team spent a record-breaking £460 million ($622m) in the transfer market this summer, bringing in players like Enzo Fernandez and Iliman Ndiaye, who both made their City debut against Coventry.

In an interview after the game, Iliman Ndiaye explained why he chose to join Manchester City over Tottenham: he had always been drawn to playing for one of the best teams in the world with a chance to compete in the Champions League. Despite having agreed terms with Everton and Tottenham earlier this summer, Ndiaye said that it didn't take much for Manchester City's interest to win him over.

Manchester City will look to maintain their winning streak as they open their Champions League campaign against Porto on Tuesday night, with Iliman Ndiaye hoping to make his Champions League debut.

Written for “Man City Transfer News” on 2026-11-03, grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.

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Haaland heads Man City to the top of Premier League with win over Coventry Same event

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0 of 13 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")

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Who wrote this

Arthur Ferridge

205 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

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Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 205 articles by Arthur Ferridge →

Narrative

Claims (13 extracted, 0 hedged)

City’s interest in the player, though, was not formalised until after Tottenham had agreed terms with Everton for his sale. asserted

Tottenham → formalise → sale

Enzo Maresca’s side successfully hijacked the move with the transfer deadline drawing in, and, speaking after making his City debut in defeat of Coventry on Saturday, Ndiaye said it did not take much for City to turn his head. asserted

City → hijack → head

“There was no stress or no panicking,” Ndiaye told reporters. asserted

Ndiaye → be → reporters

“I always say whatever comes, comes. asserted

whatever → say → ?

God decides your future, it’s already written. asserted

it → decide → future

“I was just being patient and when City came through I was buzzing. asserted

I → come → ?

“(Maresca is) someone that admired me and as soon as they came through I had only one direction where I wanted to go.” asserted

I → admire → direction

Pressed as to whether he was close to joining Tottenham at any stage, Ndiaye replied: “For me it was always going to be City. asserted

it → press → me

I wanted Champions League and playing at one of the best teams in the world. asserted

I → want → world

“I’m not saying Tottenham is not but when Manchester City comes through you don’t say no. asserted

you → say → no

It’s been a good week for me and topped off with a win.” asserted

It → top → win

City open their Champions League campaign this week, visiting Porto on Tuesday night. asserted

City → open → night

Ndiaye will hope to make his Champions League debut in that match, with his only previous European experience coming in Marseille’s failed qualification campaign in 2023. asserted

experience → hope → 2023

Iliman Ndiaye explains why he chose Man City transfer over Tottenham: 'I was being patient'

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Claims (13 extracted, 0 hedged)