The Nigerian international has been ruled out for six to twelve weeks, but it’s a situation that could have have been avoided.
Leicester City manager, Brendan Rodgers, confirmed Ndidi would be out for some period after his side’s Carabao Cup loss to Arsenal on Wednesday night.
Depending on if he is going to need surgery or not, the Super Eagles star could be out of action for three months.
Although the news is not surprising, a lengthy layoff could’ve been prevented had Ndidi and Leicester managed his body properly.
Ndidi joined Leicester in January 2017, and within this time, he has played a massive 142 games. Although he joined midway through the season in 2017, he still featured in 17 Premier League games, four Champions League ties and two FA Cup games.
The following campaign, which was his first full year at the King Power, he started 33 league games, failing to play the full 90 minutes on just two occasions- one which was as a result of two yellow cards, while he was substituted three minutes from time in the other game.
Ndidi also featured three times in the FA Cup and twice in the Carabao Cup, bringing his total number of appearances to 38 in all competitions. Following that season, Ndidi represented Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup, playing in all of Nigeria’s group games.
In the 2018/2019 campaign, the 23-year-old played in all of Leicester’s league games and failed to complete the entire duration of a match in just five games.
Just like the previous summer, Ndidi was again on international duty, featuring in all of Nigeria’s seven games at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
After the Nations Cup, Ndidi linked up with Leicester for the 2019/2020 campaign. The defensive midfielder made a total of 39 appearances in all competition for the Foxes last season. In total, Ndidi has played a total of 122 League games since arriving at Leicester, starting 118 of those matches.
It was inevitable that Ndidi’s body was going to break down at a point due to the number of club games he has played and his exertions at international tournaments.
Been complaining about this since the start of last season. The pattern is very worrying. Certain players should be protected for their own good, especially those who themselves don't know when to stop.
— Solace Chukwu (@TheOddSolace) September 24, 2020
Wilfred Ndidi is almost never rested, almost never gets subbed, hardly ever gets a proper break after international tournaments, never properly rehabs injuries.
Players are not machines.
His body is rebelling now, just like Kante's has done over last 18 months.
— Solace Chukwu (@TheOddSolace) September 24, 2020
While he appears not to get tired, it was a mistake on Brendan Rodgers part not to give him enough rest after the 2019 Nations Cup. The Super Eagles star was thrown straight into action when the league started, which now looks like a mistake.
Re:Ndidi injury https://t.co/5QIXb2jADt
— Solace Chukwu (@TheOddSolace) September 24, 2020
There have been warning signs, but Leicester City and Ndidi failed to take it seriously. The Super Eagles star was ruled out for a month in January but made an instant return in the Premier League clash against West Ham.
It was a rushed return, and that saw him go back to the treatment table. Although the coronavirus enforced break meant he was able to rest, Ndidi featured in all of Foxes games after the season resumed.
The player is one of the most important players in Leicester’s squad, and that was laid bare in the period he was injured last season. However, his latest injury, which could have been avoided, shows he has also not been appropriately managed.
According to reports, the Nigerian played with pains in his body in the first two games- a situation Rodgers was aware of. But it was clear his body couldn’t cope anymore- and that resulted in the groin injury he picked up.
As a result, he could miss three months of football, which is a lot. But hopefully, the player and the manager learn from the situation when he eventually returns.