LEICESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: A detailed view of the Leicester City crest on the corner flag prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at The King Power Stadium on January 19, 2021 in Leicester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Tim Keeton - Pool/Getty Images)
Wilfred Ndidi scored for the third game in a row against Stoke, as his resurgence as an offensive danger continued after two years of mediocrity in defensive midfield.
Wilfred Ndidi played 13 minutes plus injury time in Leicester City’s 2-0 win over Stoke, yet no player had more shots. All three of his attempts were inches away from being successful, with one being blocked close the line, another being deflected over, and one going just wide.
He then set up Jamie Vardy for his third assist in three Championship games, possibly with a wonderful pass, possibly with a crazy fourth try at goal. The previous game, he won the penalty that gave City the victory. This would be unusual for a guy who has built his name at the other end of the field in any other season. However, not this year.
Ndidi has now contributed to seven goals for City in 14 outings across all competitions. Only Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (eight) has contributed more. Nobody would have predicted that a few months ago. In fact, few expected Ndidi to have any role at City at all.
Ask Enzo Maresca what he wants from each position in his City setup, and Ndidi of the last six-and-a-half seasons does not fit into any of them. There is no position on Maresca’s team that requires a rambunctious, long-legged destroyer to win tackles and interceptions. The player at the base of the midfield is now in charge of building the game. Ndidi’s polar opposite is Harry Winks.
But, just as Ndidi’s tenure at the King Power Stadium appeared to be coming to an end, Maresca became pragmatic. He was low on players to fill the two number eight positions and found qualities in Ndidi that he thought may work.
The star player Ndidi says he is enjoying himself at Leicester
Ndidi is one of just two players, along with Dewsbury-Hall, to have appeared in every game beyond 14 games. His three goals – two in the Carabao Cup and one in the Championship – match his career high for the club.
Ndidi joked to the club after waltzing through Southampton defenders to score at St Mary’s that he’d demonstrated his “striker’s instinct,” acting sarcastically as if it’s the type of goal he scored every week. His reaction to scoring could be just as satisfying as the goal itself. It feels like a weight has been removed when I watch Ndidi now.
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Most players suffered a decrease in form in the two years running up to City’s relegation, but maybe none as dramatically as Ndidi. City’s defense appeared weak in part because Ndidi was no longer adequately protecting them. His number of tackles and interceptions dropped through the floor.
City City has been relying on Nigerian midfielder Ndidi for years, allowing attacking players to take risks and venture forward. However, when Ndidi stopped providing security, City’s defense became more vulnerable and attackers became scared to be inventive. This put pressure on Ndidi’s shoulders.
Moving him into a forward area relieves that pressure and brings freedom that the world may not expect. The manager, Maresca, expressed happiness with Ndidi, stating that he is open-minded and trying to learn new things. Ndidi is doing well at arriving in the box, but struggles with staying in position and moving in the right way in the pocket.
If Ndidi improves in these areas and helps City achieve promotion, it could be the manager’s biggest success story of the season. However, patience is required to see if this happens. For now, it’s great to see a City great enjoying himself again.
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