Iliman Ndiaye has expressed his excitement and pride in being part of Everton's final season at Goodison Park as the club prepares to take on Brentford in a crucial Premier League fixture. The Toffees are set to bid farewell to their historic home stadium, which has been the club’s base for over a century, before moving to a new 52,000-seat stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock after the 2024-25 season. With Everton’s recent form showing just one loss in their last seven matches, the team’s hopes of securing a place in the Premier League remain alive, and this final stretch at Goodison Park holds extra significance for the players and fans alike.
Ndiaye, who joined Everton from Marseille before the start of the season, spoke with excitement about being part of this historic moment. He acknowledged the special nature of playing in the club's last-ever season at Goodison Park, which has seen so many important events over the years. In an interview with the club's website, Ndiaye shared, "Obviously, I wanted to be part of the history of playing in the last-ever season at Goodison Park. So many things have happened here, it's full of history, and we are the last players to represent this club here, so it’s important we give everything we have." The Senegalese forward is determined to make his mark in the club’s final season at this iconic venue, ensuring that his contribution is remembered in the history of Everton.
Everton’s next opponent, Brentford, currently sits six points ahead of them in 11th place. The Bees have been performing well this season, with all of their 16 points coming from home matches. Brentford’s strong home form has seen them remain competitive, and they are just three points behind third-placed Manchester City. Sepp van den Berg, who joined Brentford from Liverpool earlier this season, has been an important figure for the team, featuring in nine of the club’s 11 Premier League matches. His solid performances at the back have contributed to Brentford's rise in the standings.
Van den Berg also took a moment to reflect on his move to Brentford and the influence of manager Thomas Frank in making him feel welcome. The Dutch defender described how the first meeting with Frank felt more like a job interview, with the manager asking him direct questions about why he wanted to join Brentford and what he could bring to the team. "Brentford was one of the first clubs interested in me, and besides the chance to play in the Premier League and live in London, it was the conversation with Thomas Frank that stood out," said Van den Berg. "The first meeting we had, he asked me straight questions: 'Why do you want to play for Brentford? Why do we need you at Brentford?' It felt like a proper job interview!" This straightforward approach from Frank helped van den Berg make the decision to move to the Bees, where he has settled in well.
As Everton looks ahead to this pivotal clash against Brentford, both Ndiaye and Van den Berg are determined to make the most of their respective roles in these historic moments for their clubs. While Everton aims to secure their Premier League status in their final season at Goodison Park, Brentford continues to push for a top-half finish, with both teams eager to make an impact as the season progresses.
