Rodgers, Vardy, fans praise emergency centre-back Ndidi

By Nurudeen Obalola

WILFRED Ndidi, Super Eagles midfielder, has earned plaudits from across the football world for his excellent performance in an unfamiliar position as his club Leicester City defeated West Brom 3-0 at the Hawthorns in their 2020/2021 Premier League season opener on Sunday.

With regular centre-backs Johny Evans and Wes Morgan unavailable and limited options for manager Brendan Rodgers, Ndidi had to be drafted into central defence against the newly promoted side. 

The Nigerian, who has emerged as one of the best holding midfielders in Europe since he joined the Foxes in 2017, was imperious in the unfamiliar role and Rodgers praised his performance afterwards.  

“The whole back four have had two days to work together,” Rodgers said of his makeshift defence. “For Wilf (Ndidi) it’s the trust I have in him, I’d never expose a player in a position I didn’t think they could play.

“He was outstanding. He’s played 60 minutes there in a pre-season friendly. He did play there earlier in his career. He’s got the profile to play there – he’s big with a good leap.

“Even if he’d played there all his life it would be tough coming back.”

Jamie Vardy, the England striker who was top striker in the Premier League last season and scored twice against West Brom on Sunday, was also impressed by Ndidi’s performance. 

 “Timothy Castagne was brilliant, he thoroughly deserved his goal and he gets into those areas. Wilfred Ndidi did brilliant in defence,” Vardy said.

Hundreds of Leicester City and other clubs’ fans also took to social media to commend the performance of the 23-year-old Nigerian, some even comparing him to Manchester United captain and former Leicester City centre-back Harry Maguire. 

An impressed fan, Jezz, hailed Ndidi’s consistency and simplicity.  “Ndidi drops 7/10s or 8/10s every week and goes back home to his family, today at centre-back. No cringe videos or hashtags or senseless hype,” he wrote on Twitter.  

One apparent Chelsea fan tweeted: “Chelsea and Lampard won’t see Ndidi but would want to pay £80m for (Declan) Rice.”

Ndidi posted impressive statistics in Sunday’s away win: he had an 88 percent pass accuracy, made three clearances, three interceptions, two tackles and won all his ground duels.