Tag: Ndidi

Ndidi outlined the importance of Leicester taking three points away to West Bromwich Albion last weekend, especially following the disappointment of drawing away to Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.

The Foxes maintained their position at the top of the Championship thanks to goals from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Harry Winks – the latter injury-time winner just moments after West Brom had levelled the scores through Josh Maja.

“It was really brilliant,” the Nigeria international beamed. “You could see how we acted on the bench and all the fans. It was really amazing because we actually needed it.

“We know it is very tight at the moment with the fact that the last game was not the best game, but we knew if we could get this, it’s really amazing because it gives us more steps ahead. It was really good.”

Ndidi had a perfect view of the winning goal, which sparked jubilant scenes in the dugout as well as in the away end, having been substituted shortly before Dewsbury-Hall squared the ball for Winks to strike in stoppage-time. He also played a major part in the first goal, with the Nigerian’s cross stood up for Academy graduate Dewsbury-Hall to emphatically head home.

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He explained: “We saw everything from the throw-in and then the breakthrough. I can actually remember everything from Kel (Kelechi Iheanacho) to Kiernan [Dewsbury-Hall] and then Kiernan to Harry [Winks]. It was really amazing because even the reaction on the bench when the ball was going, we were all on our feet and it was good.

“I feel so good because we actually we do this and we know what we have to do. And it was good because when we have a ball like this, we know the opposition has to go in. It was actually very nice to see what we practice and everything show up in the game.”

Starting the contest at The Hawthorns, it proved to be more vital minutes for the midfielder, who only returned from an injury lay-off after November’s international break.

The 26-year-old added: “It was really good for me because I was laid back and then I just try to get more. That fitness and all was really good, to get 80 minutes.

“Of course this one is now passed so we have to look forward to the next one, get our shape together, and then we go on again.”

Leicester City’s hopes of keeping midfielder Wilfred Ndidi beyond the summer may have been boosted, despite the player being linked with a move to Sevilla.

Ndidi is one of the players who is out of contract in the summer, meaning City risk losing him for nothing should a new deal or an extension not be agreed. That has attracted the interest of clubs, who may hope to sign him on a free transfer.

Sevilla are the latest club said to be ‘keen’ on Ndidi. According to French outlet Footmercato , the Spanish side have already made their move to sign the midfielder at the end of his contract, having made their ‘first offer’.

Spanish giants Barcelona are also reportedly keeping an eye on the City man . He was heavily linked with a move to Nottingham Forest in the final days of the summer transfer window but a move never materialised.

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However, a detail in the report about Sevilla’s interest offers a hint that could suggest a stay at City is entirely possible. Footmercato added that Ndidi and his representatives ‘favour’ a return to the Premier League and staying in England.

Leicester City’s start to the season in the Championship has put them in pole position to do that at the end of the campaign. Should they achieve promotion back to the Premier League, then Ndidi could opt to turn down any potential offers and look to be part of the build of City under Enzo Maresca.

Speaking about speculation over his future in the summer back in September, Ndidi outlined Maresca’s influence on him staying at the club. “When he (Maresca) came, he tried to explain his philosophy and also the simplicity of the game and I just feel like it’s something I can actually learn from.

 “I’ve been open-minded to try and learn more on his philosophy and his style of game and it’s been going well. I’m happy that I’m here.”

Ndidi has been revitalised under the Italian boss, playing a more attacking role. He has missed the last four games through injury but could return after the international break as City take on Watford at the King Power Stadium.

The midfielder seems to be enjoying his football again after struggling to show his usual self during last season’s relegation. If City can offer Premier League football next season, then it could put them in pole position in fighting off other interest when it comes to contract negotiations.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be without the services of Wilfred Ndidi for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, according to Leicester City’s manager, Enzo Maresca.

This midfielder, sidelined due to an injury, poses a big blow for Jose Peseiro’s troops as they gear up for the FIFA World Cup qualification tie slated to be held in Uyo, Nigeria, and in Huya, Zimbabwe.

The Foxes’ manager said Ndidi is suffering from a muscular problem and out of Leeds United clash.

He emphasised the importance of not taking any risks with muscular injuries, even if they are minor.

Read Also: Wilfred Ndidi: I’m still getting used to striker’s role

“Wilf will be out until the international break. It is also a muscular problem, It’s a small thing, but when the problem is muscular, even if it’s small, it’s always one week or two weeks because we don’t want to take any risks.” Maresca said, as quoted by the club’s official website.

In addition to Ndidi, the Super Eagles are facing concerns over the availability of talismanic striker Victor Osimhen, as he is also ruled out for the upcoming matches. There are also worries about the fitness of defenders Semi Ajayi and Bruno Onyemaechi.

The first match will see the Super Eagles host the Crocodiles of Lesotho on Friday, November 17. Following this, Peseiro’s side will travel to Zimbabwe for their matchday two encounter.

Super Eagles anchor-man, Wilfred Ndidi has been nominated for the PFA Championship Fans’ player of the month award for September, Soccernet.ng reports.

The versatile midfielder has found himself rejuvenated in a new role under the tutelage of the new boss, Enzo Maresca, and even scored in Leicester’s 4-1 win over Southampton, securing the man of the match award.

The 26-year-old featured in all of The Foxes’four game last month, helping his side to three wins in those four games. His in-form teammate, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was also nominated.

The Englishman has scored the most goals at the King Power Stadium this season, adding a brace to his tally in their last game, as Kelechi Iheanacho also found the back of the net after he was teed up by Ndidi.

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The nominees for September’s PFA Championship Fans’ Player of the Month include Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and Dewsbury-Hall. No one had more key passes than Dewsbury-Hall in September.

Elsewhere, Argyle’s Morgan Whittaker contributed to five league goals, including a hat-trick against Norwich City, while Nathan Broadhead scored vital goals for high-flying Ipswich Town.

Sunderland’s Jack Clarke was the top scorer with six goals in September, and Preston’s Liam Lindsay, has been a rock at the back, with his side closing September in third place.

Apart from finding his form in recent times, Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has admitted that it has been difficult for him to transition into a more attacking midfield role.

The Super Eagles star set up Jamie Vardy for the second goal of the game as Leicester picked up a 4-1 win at Blackburn to extend their lead at the top of the Championship.

“It was firstly a difficult game,” Ndidi told Sky Sports. “We kept our patience and we won the game, coming here it’s difficult to get a win but we actually did.”

Ndidi has shone in his new number eight role so far this season, but the midfielder admits it isn’t something that has come easy to him. “Of course, it’s just a process. I’m still getting used to the role, but I’ll just keep playing and going,” the 26-year-old said.

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“It’s not easy coming from a different role, it’s just for me to be with my team. With the help of my teammates, also the gaffer, it’s been brilliant.”

Ndidi set up Vardy for the second goal of the game with a delightful cross. The midfielder gave his captain the credit for making the assist look better than it was.

“He made it look even better because I saw his run and I just knew he was going to be there,” Ndidi said.

“I know his quality, he’s going to hit it once or take a touch, he did the other one.”

Barcelona are ‘taking an interest’ in Wilfred Ndidi’s Leicester City future according to a report in Spain.

Website Sport reckoned that the La Liga giants are keeping an eye out for opportunities in the free agent market and also linked the club with Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao.

Ndidi, who is doing well for the Foxes in the Championship, is one such player and this season is the final one included in the six-year deal he signed in 2018. Since joining the club from Genk in 2017 the Nigerian has made 247 appearances for the club and after a summer of speculation has applied himself to helping restore it to the Premier League.

That speculation saw him linked with Bayern Munich just a few weeks ago when it seemed the 26-year-old was a candidate to move on as the Foxes looked to reduce their wage bill. Indeed it was even suggested that rivals Nottingham Forest had put in a bid for the midfielder.

Read Also: Ndidi relishes new role with Leicester City

As things stand Ndidi has been a key part of the side which has roared its way to the top of the Championship and if the Foxes remain on course for promotion in January it would be a surprise to see him move then.

However, if they fail to bounce back at the first chance and Ndidi becomes a free agent – then a parting of the ways would seem more likely.

Sport pointed out the Bayern link and claimed that Atlético Madrid and Juventus were also tracking him and add that Barca tried to buy him a few years ago when the transfer fee was said to be €70million.They say there is no doubt Ndidi will be one of the most desirable players next summer.

So far this season Ndidi has played all eight Championship matches and started six and bagged his first goal of the campaign in the thrashing of Southampton.

Wilfred Ndidi is relishing his new role  with Leicester City  even as he enthused  about  his match-winning performance against Bristol City.

The Super Eagles defender has been deployed in a more advanced position by coach Enzo Maresca  this season and was  in the thick of action on Saturday  as he won a second half penalty  which was  converted  by James Vardy  as the Foxes returned to the Sky Bet Championship summit with their seventh win of the season.

“It was a good one and important that we got the win,” Ndidi told the club’s website. “Very, very important. It’s a good weekend for us. It’s been a brilliant start. There’s more games to go so we’ll look to the next one.

Read Also: ‘Wilfred Ndidi smiling again’

“It’s a long season so we need everybody in the team. The Manager wants everyone to be ready. Anyone who goes on the pitch has to give 100 per cent, so as a team, we understand the philosophy. We understand it’s a long season and we’re all ready for it.”

Ndidi has reportedly  been deployed in a more advanced position by Maresca this season and  he is enjoying a new professional challenge as  Bristol City’s Kal Naismith brought  him down in the box.

“It was quite a chance,” he added. “I tried to shoot and he brought me down. It’s very important for us because we were so patient and we needed that. It was difficult. They were very compact, they stayed back.

“They’re a good team, very strong and physical. They were sitting in a low block so it was just about us being patient and waiting for our opportunity. Kudos to the Manager because he’s trying to help me understand the role. He’s trying to help me.”

He added: “The guys who naturally play in that role are helping me too. It’s a process. It’s going well, but I’ll keep going. It’s very interesting because I try to get in the box more often. I’ve always had it but it’s taken Enzo to make me know I’ve actually got it. He’s trying to push me.”

Leicester United manager Enzo Maresca is celebrating Nigerian international Wilfred Ndidi following his new found form.  The new coach, Maresca, while evaluating the midfielder is of the opinion that Ndidi has found his groove back, after two years of plummeting form in his high-pressure position in front of the defence.

After eight games, Ndidi is Leicester City’s top scorer and has already matched his best-ever season in front of goal for the club. Nobody would have thought that sentence could be true a few months ago. In fact, very few thought there would be a role for Ndidi at City at all.

There is no role in Maresca’s team that asks for a bustling, long-legged destroyer to win tackles and interceptions. Now, the player at the base of the midfield is there to build the game. Harry Winks is the opposite of Ndidi.

But just when Ndidi’s career at the King Power Stadium looked to be over, Maresca got pragmatic. He was short on players to operate in the two number eight roles and saw attributes in Ndidi that he felt could work.

Now, eight games in, Ndidi has featured in every match and started six of them. His tally of three goals – two in the Carabao Cup and one in the Championship – puts him tied with Kasey McAteer at the top of the club’s scoring charts.

The best moment of Ndidi’s season so far came against Southampton, when after receiving the ball inside the box, he feinted to shoot, bamboozling ‘The Saints’ defender sliding across him, and then finished, scoring a goal very few thought he ever would.

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Speaking to the club, Ndidi joked that he’d shown his “striker’s instinct”, sarcastically acting as if it’s the type of goal he scores every week. His reaction to scoring may be as pleasing as the goal itself. Watching Ndidi now, it feels like a weight has been lifted.

In the two years leading up to City’s relegation, most players suffered a drop in form, but perhaps none as starkly as Ndidi. City’s defence looked so vulnerable in part because Ndidi was no longer protecting them well. The number of tackles and interceptions he was making fell through the floor.

For so long, City had relied on Ndidi. The attacking players were granted the freedom to venture forward and take risks because they had the Nigerian behind them to bail them out. When he stopped providing security, not only did City’s defence look more vulnerable, but their attackers became scared to be inventive in case they set up counters for the opposition. That’s a lot of pressure on Ndidi’s shoulders.

Moving him into a forward area relieves that pressure. There is a freedom that comes with being a more attacking player, and one that perhaps the world isn’t expected of. The big, beaming smile is back.

“I don’t know if he’s more or less happy but the only thing I can say is that he’s very happy. He’s enjoying it, and he’s open-minded. He’s trying to learn something new and he’s making the effort to try to understand it and learn.

“He’s doing very well at arriving in the box. He’s doing not so good at staying in position and moving in the right way in the pocket. Most of the time he’s higher, close to the opposition central defender and sometimes he has to drop a little bit more. But as I said, it’s new for him and it’s not easy. But for sure he’s always in the box, and the goal is because he is there.”

If Ndidi does improve in those areas outlined by Maresca, if he does keep getting on the scoresheet, and if that does help City to achieve promotion, it could be the manager’s biggest success story of the season. But patience is required to see if that’s how it plays out. For now, let’s enjoy that a City great is enjoying himself again.

Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi scored his third goal of the season in all competitions for Leicester City to return to the top of the English Championship after a 4-1 demolition job of Southampton.

Defensive midfielder Ndidi showed some good feet deep inside the box in first-half added time when he eliminated his Southampton markers before he coolly found the target to make it 3-1 for visiting Leicester.

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Compatriot Kelechi Iheanacho was a late sub for the winning team, while Joe Aribo was also introduced by the home team.

‘The Foxes’ now have 15 points from six matches, two points clear of closest rivals Preston North End, who have a game in hand.

Liverpool may consider a potential transfer deal to sign Nottingham Forest-linked Wilfred Ndidi, it has been claimed.

The Nigerian has been on the radar of Nottingham and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in recent times but Liverpool are looking up to snap the Leicester City star.

Recent reports have claimed that the Leicester City midfielder is a “top target” for Steve Cooper’s side who are said to have agreed personal terms with the Nigerian international.

The Reds will be keen to strengthen their midfield before Friday’s transfer deadline with Jonjo Shelvey and Harry Arter appearing likely to leave. Neither player has been involved in any Forest squad so far this season.

Read Also: Ndidi set to join Awoniyi at Nottingham Forest

But the Reds could face a potential transfer battle with Liverpool if they wish to secure Ndidi’s signature. According to The Independent the Merseysiders are said to be “investigating” if they can do one more midfield deal before the transfer window slams shut at 11pm on Friday.

The Foxes are reportedly willing to do business to ensure Ndidi finds a new club, with journalist Miguel Delaney adding on X (formerly Twitter) that City “want to sell”.

Ndidi has been an impressive performer at Leicester since he joined from Belgian side Genk in 2017. He has made over 200 appearances during a six-year spell at the King Power Stadium.

And Liverpool may be desperate to get a deal for Ndidi over the line having missed out on a number of midfielder targets this summer. Both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia who snubbed Jurgen Klopp’s side in favour of a move to Chelsea.

With that in mind, Ndidi – who can play in midfield or at centre-back, which is another area under a bit of scrutiny for Liverpool – might be a sensible target to pursue.

Still only 26 years old, he has been with Leicester since 2017. He earned almost 200 Premier League appearances before their relegation at the end of last season.

They have since signed central midfielder Wataru Endo from Bundesliga side VFB Stuttgart for a reported £16million with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai arriving earlier this summer.