Why I dropped Ndidi for Soumare – Rodgers explains reason for decision

The Nigerian midfielder was a late introduction against Chelsea as the Foxes fell to yet another defeat

Wilfred Ndidi barely made an impact in Leicester’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as he started the game from the bench.

Brendan Rodgers, the under-fire Leicester City coach chose to go with Boubacar Soumare in the defensive midfield position in place of regular suspect Ndidi.

Rodgers explaining his decision said they wanted to be quicker in the attacking third of the game and needed a player who gave them that option.

He said Soumare was quicker in the third and he has trained well.

“We wanted to come through the pitch quicker. Soumare has been great in training and he’s committed now to staying at the club, which is great,” he told the BBC.

“He (Soumare) allows us to play through the thirds quickly and that was the reason for him coming in instead.”

Leicester have had a terrible start to the season, winning no game out of four and drawing three times already.

Ndidi has long been one of Rodgers’ trusted lieutenants at the club but with consistent losses at the club, he has had to tinker with his systems and has the Nigerian at the end of it.

Kelechi Iheanacho was a 55th minute substitution for Soumare in the game.