I dont necessarily disagree with lots of what you are saying, but im just not convinced N'diaye is any better than say Pienaar was. Both boss players but its not your world falls apart as you cant replace them type players.

For example Grealish still finished 5th in the overall premier league assists last season feeding and playing with those very same players, and he didnt even play half the season!

N'Diaye is a very good footballer, but i do think we sometimes over inflate how good these players are, which is why we often end up with the bring him back shouts within 2 years when they leave. If he went to United - is he getting in ahead of Mbuemo and Cunha? I dont think he is personally.

Sadly the way football is now, we arent getting to a point any time soon where if certain clubs and the media decide our players need to join them we dont lose them.

This however big picture wise away from the subject of 1 player is an interesting comment - "we fucked goodison park off for this. Same old shit, comfier seat." - its exactly what we have done isnt it?