• Latest
  • All
  • News
  • Lifestyle
Wilfred Ndidi Hails The Belgian Manager Who Converted Him To A Defensive Midfielder

Wilfred Ndidi Hails The Belgian Manager Who Converted Him To A Defensive Midfielder

11 months ago
Senegal’s Ndiaye Shatters Nigeria’s Osigwe Swiss Cup Dreams

Senegal’s Ndiaye Shatters Nigeria’s Osigwe Swiss Cup Dreams

10 hours ago
Super Eagles’ Maduka Okoye Confirms Talks Between Ajax And Sparta, Gives The Only Condition For A Move

“I Wouldn’t Think Twice” – Super Eagles Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye On The Club Of His Heart

11 hours ago
Unstoppable Onuachu Fires Genk To Victory

Onuachu Ahead Of Kane, Suarez In European Golden Boot Race With Simy In Top 30

11 hours ago
Ahmed Musa Criticised By Some Arewas’ Over A Picture He Shared On Social Media

Ahmed Musa Close To Kano Pillars Move But Another NPFL Club Also Interested In His Services

14 hours ago
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
  • Login
  • Register
Soccernet.ng
  • Home
    Senegal’s Ndiaye Shatters Nigeria’s Osigwe Swiss Cup Dreams

    Senegal’s Ndiaye Shatters Nigeria’s Osigwe Swiss Cup Dreams

    Super Eagles’ Maduka Okoye Confirms Talks Between Ajax And Sparta, Gives The Only Condition For A Move

    “I Wouldn’t Think Twice” – Super Eagles Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye On The Club Of His Heart

    Unstoppable Onuachu Fires Genk To Victory

    Onuachu Ahead Of Kane, Suarez In European Golden Boot Race With Simy In Top 30

    Ahmed Musa Criticised By Some Arewas’ Over A Picture He Shared On Social Media

    Ahmed Musa Close To Kano Pillars Move But Another NPFL Club Also Interested In His Services

    Win A Trip To Euro 2020 With Melbet

    Win A Trip To Euro 2020 With Melbet

    Ejuke The Star For CSKA Moscow As Nwakali Fires Alcorcón To Victory

    Ejuke The Star For CSKA Moscow As Nwakali Fires Alcorcón To Victory

    Free Agent Ahmed Musa Reveals Transfer Decision

    Ahmed Musa Linked With Surprise Kano Pillars Return

    Olisema’s Effort Seals Historic Enyimba Victory In Nasarawa

    CAF Confederation Cup: Poor Away Form, Enyimba’s Fiercest Foe On The Road To Glory

    Osimhen, Simy On Target As The Two Super Eagles Stars Collide In Serie A Clash

    The Rise And Rise Of Simy Nwankwo

  • Live Scores
  • Leagues
    • EPL
    • NPFL
    • La Liga
    • Serie A
    • Ligue 1
  • App
  • Videos
  • Players Lifestyle
  • Betting
No Result
View All Result
Soccernet.ng
No Result
View All Result
Home EPL

Wilfred Ndidi Hails The Belgian Manager Who Converted Him To A Defensive Midfielder

Imhons Erons by Imhons Erons
11 months ago
in EPL, News, Nigeria
3
Wilfred Ndidi Hails The Belgian Manager Who Converted Him To A Defensive Midfielder
22
SHARES
542
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

While Brendan Rodgers is often applauded for forging the Nigeria international into a top-level performer, the midfielder credits Peter Maes for his impact on his career.

Super Eagles star Ndidi has heaped praises on his former boss at Genk, Maes, for the role he played in helping to transform him from a centre-back to a defensive midfielder.

Now regarded as one of football’s finest tacklers, Ndidi didn’t start life in the middle of the park but at the heart of the defence.

The Nath Boys Academy graduate, however, found chances to impress as a centre-half limited because of his slight frame.

But when Maes took over from Alex McLeish as the manager at the Luminus Arena, he saw the potential in the young Nigerian and had the patience to groom into the new role.

Despite initial struggles, Ndidi adapted quickly as a ball-winning midfielder before Leicester City signed the 23-year-old as a replacement for N’golo Kante.

Now considered among the world’s best defensive midfielders, Ndidi knows his career could have headed in a different direction if not for the influence of his old boss.

“I was signed (to Genk) by Alex McLeish – who was the manager then, but he was using me as a left-back and as a right-back, because we had [Kalidou] Koulibaly and [Kara] Mbodji and [Christian] Kabasele playing in the centre back positions,” Ndidi narrated to Out of Home Podcast.

“I was too skinny to play in that position, and everywhere I went, I was told that I had to work hard, you have to build your muscles and all that.

“McLeish left after six months, and the new manager [Peter Maes] came in and transformed me into a defensive midfielder. It was another challenge, and I had to prove myself.

“That was another pressure for me because I was trying to prove myself being a central defender, and he moved me to a position where I never played before.

“I was nervous, scared, but I was doing well in training, but that was very different from a game situation.”

“My first game playing in that position was against Gent who were preparing for the Champions League plus it was an away game. I was substituted in the first half, I was so sad, and I didn’t know what was going on in the pitch. I was just running like a headless chicken.”

However, despite the experience on his debut, Ndidi revealed he got the backing of the manager who kept encouraging him for obvious reasons.

“The manager called me during the next training and kept encouraging me because he knew I was nervous. He told me, ‘just play with your qualities, be yourself and keep it simple’.

“In the next game, I was substituted again in the first half, but the thing was that the manager believed in me. He saw something in me, and he keeps on pushing me to be better.

“I got confident to the extent that I could shoot because I couldn’t shoot before for fear of being substituted in the first half. Here I am today.

“The manager didn’t change my position and left me there. He just kept encouraging me.”

Tags: EplLeicester CityWilfred Ndidi
Share9Tweet6
Wazobet Wazobet Wazobet
Imhons Erons

Imhons Erons

Comments 3

  1. Pingback: Maes Hopes Ndidi Gets The Opportunity To Play At A Team Better Than Leicester :: Nigerian Football News - Soccernet.ng
  2. Pingback: Maes Hopes Ndidi Gets The Opportunity To Play At A Team Better Than Leicester - NaijaCover.Com
  3. Pingback: Maes Hopes Ndidi Gets The Opportunity To Play At A Team Better Than Leicester ⋆ 9JaUpDate247

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Super Eagles’ Maduka Okoye Confirms Talks Between Ajax And Sparta, Gives The Only Condition For A Move

“I Wouldn’t Think Twice” – Super Eagles Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye On The Club Of His Heart

April 13, 2021
Ejuke The Star For CSKA Moscow As Nwakali Fires Alcorcón To Victory

Ejuke The Star For CSKA Moscow As Nwakali Fires Alcorcón To Victory

April 13, 2021
Unstoppable Onuachu Fires Genk To Victory

Onuachu Ahead Of Kane, Suarez In European Golden Boot Race With Simy In Top 30

April 13, 2021
How Odion Ighalo Reacted To Opening Goal Account In Saudi Arabia

Ex-Man United Ace Ighalo Celebrates On Al Shabab Injury Return, Goalkeeper Osigwe Stars Again

6
Musa, Rohr Speaks On Substitute Role Following Super Eagles Victory Over Benin

AFCON Qualifiers: Why I Invited Ahmed Musa- Gernot Rohr

12
Super Eagles’ Maduka Okoye Confirms Talks Between Ajax And Sparta, Gives The Only Condition For A Move

Super Eagles’ Maduka Okoye Confirms Talks Between Ajax And Sparta, Gives The Only Condition For A Move

2
Senegal’s Ndiaye Shatters Nigeria’s Osigwe Swiss Cup Dreams

Senegal’s Ndiaye Shatters Nigeria’s Osigwe Swiss Cup Dreams

April 13, 2021
Super Eagles’ Maduka Okoye Confirms Talks Between Ajax And Sparta, Gives The Only Condition For A Move

“I Wouldn’t Think Twice” – Super Eagles Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye On The Club Of His Heart

April 13, 2021
Unstoppable Onuachu Fires Genk To Victory

Onuachu Ahead Of Kane, Suarez In European Golden Boot Race With Simy In Top 30

April 13, 2021
Soccernet.ng

Copyright © 2020 Soccernet Media Limited.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Live Scores
  • Leagues
    • EPL
    • NPFL
    • La Liga
    • Serie A
    • Ligue 1
  • App
  • Videos
  • Players Lifestyle
  • Betting

Copyright © 2020 Soccernet Media Limited.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In