The English summer transfer season slammed shut before the start of the Premier League and in another fortnight the European transfer window will follow suit and all things being equal, the Super Eagles midfielder will spend another season at the King Power Stadium.
Wilfred Onyiye Ndidi is presently regarded as one of the best ball winners in the English top league and by all standards that is one of the highest compliments anyone can give to a 22-year-old who has only just spend two full seasons in the Premier League.
But should Leicester City be the final destination for a youngster who holds so much promise for club and country?
Ndidi’s unalloyed commitment to Brendan Rodgers’ side is commendable and, at a time when players change clubs for the flimsiest of excuses, it must not be treated like worthless trash.
However, a time will surely come when club and player, in peace or in pieces, will have to part company and go their separate ways. While the club will almost immediately find a replacement, the player has one of two ways to go: down towards obscurity or upwards to greater heights. With all the attributes and skills that the Nigeria international has in his locker, he easily could be playing for any of Manchester United, Arsenal, PSG or Juventus without looking out of place at all.
Yet, at the peak of the transfer window when the top clubs threw cash around to lure the top players, aside for a few side glances and mild interests, no serious bids were made for Ndidi. Paris St. Germain spent 30 million pounds on Senegal’s Idrissa Gueye. Spurs broke a club record to secure the services of Frenchman Tanguy Ndombele. But no top club paid any attention to the 25 million-pounds-rated Nigerian.
There has to be something that the former KRC Genk midfielder is not doing right.
For all his ball-winning prowess, his incredible stamina – he featured 38 out of 38 times in the league last term – and his impressive tackling skills, Wlifred Ndidi comes way short in his passing ability. He is great at what he does, but the biggest clubs now want more.
From Arsenal, to Chelsea, to Manchester City, to Juventus, to Real Madrid, Europe’s biggest sides are seeking to follow the Barcelona template of playing the ball out of defence. It is the new trend.
Leicester City however tried to do same against Chelsea at the weekend at Stamford Bridge and it exposed the shortcomings of the Super Eagles star.
In the seventh minute of that encounter, Ndidi dithered for seconds uncertain where to send the ball as it came to him on the edge of the area. Blues attacker Mason Mount capitalized on the Nigerian’s indecision to rob him of the ball and score the opener for the home side. Thank goodness Ndidi had the presence of mind to overcome that early set back and head home his side’s equalizer but for that he would have been the villain for the next few days.
The Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers would later take responsibility for asking his players to try something new and play from the back but the Nigeria midfield enforcer should know that is an indictment on his passing ability.
Top clubs expect their defensive midfielders to do more than just protect the defence, they will always prefer an N’golo Kante for his all round display, a Joao Moutinho for his ability with the ball, a Marco Verratti for his wide range of passing or a Tanguy Ndombele for his all-action performance.
Wilfred Ndidi can elevate himself into this group of world class players by improving on his passing ability.
The Super Eagles midfielder has a contract with the East Midlands club until 2024 but by that time he could be displaying his talents at a much grander stage – does it get bigger than the UEFA Champions League? – if he smoothens his rough edges and make a good go for it.
This post was last modified on October 3, 2019 7:15 am
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this article is so weak...not sentimental at all. I hope you shared it with people before sharing.
I am sure it's your emotions talking and that's normal. But if you really understand football, you will know the game is evolving. Clubs don't just want ball-winning midfielders alone, now you must have that passing ability. That's why PSG went for Herrera.
Sentiment apart, NDIDI is only good at WINNING BALLS unlike MIKEL that was only good at "BREAKING PLAY & STABILISING MIDFIELD".....
When will Nigeria produce a midfielder in de shape of KANTE, FERNANDINHO, FABINHO, KEITA, POGBA, or even little players like QUENDOUSI, MCTOMINAY, PHIL FODEN, DECLINE RICE etc that can hold ball confidentially, possess it without fear, perform a "take-on" shylessly????
When will nigeria produce a DM that can play or dribble his way out of tight angles????
I mean an all round DM that is not afraid of taking risk.... Not a type of DM that does not want the ball to die on his leg so that pple will not blame him hence once he's with de ball he releases it quickly; and most atimes passes more to de defender at de back instead of passing or dribbling forward....
NDIDI need to up his game else no big team will come for him.... See what a little QUENDOUZI is doing in Arsenal.... Very bold and always want to take on players even with his slim body....
Football is not all about "winning duels or tackled".... Try to push forward.... Not a " MIKEL-TYPE-OF-FOOTBALL"....
HIS AGENT SHULD STOP ENJOYING THE DOLAR alone, he should try AND ADVICE HIM ELSE HIS VALUE WILL DEPRECIATE....
we have etebo dat can do that let ndidi rest he we surely improve on that area is left for the coach to tell he is lacking as a midfielder
I agree with u I wish my team Bayern munich can sign the world class Etebo
Did you say he should rest?
I think that it is not the coach that have to tell u on wht to do but u developing ur self to that extent of dribble and give accurate pass will show that u known wht u are doing and also will give u more confidence to play with any thing
clubs these days don't work on players for perfection. that is little tactics that can be corrected for Ndidi to move on. coaches are lazy they don't bring up players today only go for already made players and called themselves coaches.
Wilfred Ndidi is a great player. I think he should try and be scoring goals. By the time develop those goal-scoring instincts, 1. he will have reasons to hold the ball a little longer, 2. he will deliver better passes and assists 3, and improve on his dribbling skills. I agree with the writer's position. Modern Defensive Midfielders roles have gone beyond winning back the back. Our young man Wilfred Ndidi MUST go beyond the tacking role to the use of the ball in possession. With this goal instincts integrated into his role, Ndidi will become one of the greatest footballers.
Joe Aribo will soon be Nigeria best midfielder
Wilfred Ndidi is a great player. I think he should try and be scoring goals. By the time he develops some slickly goal-scoring instincts, 1. he will have real reasons to hold the ball a little longer, 2. he will deliver better passes and assists 3, and improve on his dribbling skills. I agree with the writer’s position. But if Ndidi had joined the Bigger Teams like Manchester United or Real Madrid, he would have corrected these minor flaws in his game. Bredon Rodgers builds his attack from the back. With Bredon in charge of Leicester City, I’m sure in a few months’ time, we will see serious improvement in Ndidi DM abilities. Modern Defensive Midfielders roles have gone beyond winning back the ball. Ndidi can deliver great shots. I don’t know why he is not taking free-kicks. Ndidi can dribble. I don’t know why he is not courageous enough to dribble in EPL. Maybe he should seek some advice from Samuel Chukwueze!!! Look at Barcelona DMs!!! Our young man Wilfred Ndidi MUST go beyond the tackling role to the use of the ball in possession. With the goal-scoring instincts integrated into his role, very soon, Ndidi will surely become one of the greatest footballers in the world.
Your lack of knowledge of Leicester City is matched only by your disrespect.
Ndidi has stated many times that he is happy at Leicester and believes in their ambitions. Do your homework.
He has good passes but needs to improve on his goal assist. That would put him in the shoes of Pogba. Besides, he has to be creative like Iwobi with the ball. But to me, he is okay for a big club. Maybe his time will come soon