After yet another impressive display in Leicester City’s fantastic 2-0 win over Arsenal at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, the accolades have not stopped flowing in for Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.
Although, Ndidi, 22, did not score – he crashed an effort against the woodwork, mind you – but he was the defensive Trojan in the middle of the park that helped silence a fearsome Arsenal attack and was the architect behind the Foxes’ second goal of the evening.
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers was the first to hail the youngster’s ability in the press, confirming his value to the squad, following Leicester City’s climb above champions Manchester City and Chelsea to second in the Premier League with eight wins in 12 matches.
“You see their threat on counter attack, they’re so fast, [Alexandre] Lacazette, [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang… the quality of their play.
“So, we had to be really good in defensive moments, pressing the game, and obviously then, we get our first goal, which was a brilliant goal.
“The second goal was Wilfred Ndidi pressing the game, winning the ball in counter press to stop their counter attack, and then we worked our way through,” the Foxes boss told LCFC TV afterwards.
A former manager of Fortuna Sittard and one-time Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, also revealed his admiration for Ndidi’s showing against Unai Emery’side.
Oliseh tweeted: “What a player! Congrats Wilfred Ndidi, really keeping the Naija flag flying high.”
What a player! Congrats Wilfred Ndidi,really keeping the Naija flag flying high 👏👏👏 https://t.co/hAGwI8nZqh
— Sunday Oliseh (@SundayOOliseh) November 9, 2019
Teammate James Maddison scored the second goal that sealed the Gunners’ defeat but even he confirmed after the tie that the Nigerian should be earning more credits for his consistent showings.
“Having Wilfred Ndidi is like having two players. He does not get the credit he deserves. Top player, @Ndidi25. If he was English, they’d be all over him,” James Maddison was quoted as saying.
James Madison: "Having Wilfred Ndidi is like having two players. He does not get the credit he deserves."
Top player, @Ndidi25. If he was English, they'd be all over him#Team9jaStrong— Colin NOT Collins (@ColinUdoh) November 9, 2019
Fans also took to Twitter to extol the unique virtues of the Super Eagles midfield enforcer.
Wilfred Ndidi is the best defensive midfielder in the premier league. Periodt !!!
— K_O 🦅 (@K_O______) November 9, 2019
I really think Leicester city’s defensive record has more to do with Ndidi than their CB’s.
Man covers so much distance, recoveries and tackles every game.
New kante?— MST (@ManUtd1800) November 10, 2019
Wilf Ndidi does such an under appreciated job.
Proper gateman tings. He’s a player.
— YouTube: Shirtless Plantain Show (@Nigerianscamsss) November 9, 2019
Trust me, any true football fan knows Ndidi is one of the very best in this football thing. Beast.
— Alulu! (@Alusa__) November 10, 2019
ManUtd should break the bank for Ndidi cos that's all that is lacking in that midfield. Neither Magic, Fred or Mctominay can stand on Ndidi's left foot. ManU should go after that guy asap but edwoodward love white young english boys around
— Olufemi Osasona (@OsasDapheel) November 10, 2019
Wonder why huge clubs aren’t showing so much interest in Ndidi. I can bet my left testicle if his name was Ndidinho Nd he was from the slums of Brazil one bastard club would’ve bid €140 million for him.
— Michael Otis (@RollingOtis) November 9, 2019
Ndidi is everything Rice and Torreira Dream to become
— K_O 🦅 (@K_O______) November 9, 2019
Listen @ManUtd ! Ndidi is a MAJOR upgrade on Matic. WTF are you waiting for??!!!
— Ovie (@OvieO) November 9, 2019
Obviously Vardy will get a lot of the praise, but Ndidi was top quality today. So good.
— Tom (@CynicalLive) November 9, 2019
Wilfried NDIDI is the best defensive midfielder in EPL
Wins tackles,intercepts and help his team going forward too
He is so UNDERRATED
— BOUjBoy (@Emmanue55387355) November 9, 2019