Wilfred Ndidi

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

9 hours ago, adam said:

Was hoping for someone proven. Is he gonna be good enough to step up to the premier league straight away? Probably not. Would of been better with Delph. 

 

That's the spirit

[HoustonFox]

1 hour ago, davieG said:

Leicester have reportedly agreed a fee with Belgian outfit Genk for 19-year-old middle man Wilfred Ndidi, whose performances in the Europa League in particular have alerted the attention of the Premier League champions.

After 13 matches last season Leicester, who would go on to achieve one of the greatest sporting feats in recent memory, were top of the Premier League with 28 points.

While it was always unlikely that they would be unable to maintain the same standards this time around, particularly given the need to juggle Champions League commitments, few would have predicted quite how much they would struggle. Two points above the relegation zone with the worst away record in the top-flight ahead of a trip to Sunderland this weekend, it's little wonder the Foxes are looking to add to their ranks in January.

The first port of call is understandably the need to bolster the options in midfield. N'Golo Kante's departure has left the side with a gaping hole in the middle of the park that neither Daniel Amartey or Andy King have been able to fill. With Danny Drinkwater now suspended and summer signing Nampalys Mendy only now recovering from an injury that has kept him out for much of the season, Leicester have been exposed in central areas.

Even once all four are fit and available, none possess quite the same energy and bite in midfield that Kante offered the club last season. Replacing it seemed likely to be an impossible task, but Leicester think that they have found their man…

Nigerian Ndidi has already been capped a handful of times at international level

Nigerian Wilfred Ndidi, already capped a handful of times at international level, is the sort of midfielder that the team has missed in protecting the defence, and given the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the African Cup of Nations in January the youngster's immediate availability would not be an issue.

Given Kante produced both the most tackles (4.7) and interceptions (4.1) per game in the Premier League last season, it's little wonder Leicester have missed his ability to break up play so frequently. No side averaged higher figures for either last season, but the Foxes have fallen to 15th in terms of tackles (16.5 per game) and 12th for interceptions (14.5) this time around.

Ndidi has averaged a whopping 6.8 tackles per game across five appearances

Their liking for a player that has achieved quite remarkable figures in both regards in the Europa League should come as little shock then. Ndidi has averaged a whopping 6.8 tackles per game across five appearances - which is well ahead of his closest rival on 5 - along with 4.4 interceptions per match. Despite such high numbers the teenager isn't one to just dive into tackles though, and like Kante he looks to stay on his feet whenever possible, harrying opponents into mistakes.

An aspect of the former Leicester middle man's game that was often overlooked last season was his contribution to their attacking moves, and the Nigerian can also weigh in in that regard. He's scored twice in the Europa League this season, netting in both matches against strong opposition in the form of Athletic Club, and bombs forward well to help provide options in the final third. Indeed, his average of 1.6 shots per game in the tournament is the second highest for Group F leaders Genk.

Claudio Ranieri may dip into the transfer market in January

While the youngster perhaps doesn't offer the same composure in possession as Kante, with a modest 78.1% pass accuracy despite attempting the most passes per game (57.6) for his side, there is even an aspect where he would be more effective than his potential predecessor. Standing at 6ft 2in the 19-year old has a considerable height advantage on the former Foxes fan favourite and has utilised his frame to full effect, winning more aerial duels than any other midfielder in the Europa League.

With all that in mind, Ndidi's WhoScored.com rating of 8.11 is enough to rank third in UEFA's secondary tournament and earn the recognition of some of Europe's top teams. Leicester have been quick to jump to the front of the queue and if they do get a deal over the line, Ranieri may just have found the right man to shield his back four.

 

So we gone from N'Didi to N'Done...ahem...

[VLC86]

5 hours ago, lgfualol said:

Didn't Mahrez do that too? 

 

It's a sign. Get it done. 

Yeah he did but I wasn't convinced he could speak English so tweeted him something about a camels bumhole but he didn't like it. That's my claim to fame.

[Ric Flair]

The Express are claiming Man Utd are derailing the bid and will sign him.

[Beliall]

Just now, Ric Flair said:

The Express are claiming Man Utd are derailing the bid and will sign him.

let them, we'll take Carrick

[AmarteyAndChill]

38 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

The Express are claiming Man Utd are derailing the bid and will sign him.

He won't play at all at Manchester United. If he's sensible he will come to Leicester where he can establish himself as a top midfielder. Manchester United also seem to get linked with everybody over Europe so I wouldn't worry.

[WigstonWanderer]

On 1 December 2016 at 04:35, Micky said:

 

If he's 20, I must be 40.

 

Looks good though.

[WiFoxes]

Sign. All. The. Midfielders.

[Babylon]

Just watched first half of Genk v Bilbao. Genk play an attacking 433 formation, and this fella so far seems to just sit in front of the back four and doesn't stray too much from there. 

 

Certainly not a dynamic Kante for us type game where he's all over the place. Perhaps more like Kante playing for France.

 

The ball has bypassed his area a lot of the time, but when it has dropped near to be fair he is in quickly and does seem pretty nifty at getting a foot in.

 

When he's on the ball he lays it of quickly and keeps the game moving. He also likes a quick straight forward pass to a strikers feet. Certainly not all safe balls, some good risky passes found their mark... but I'd expect a few strays if he's taking risks.

 

Will watch more later!

[AmarteyAndChill]

1 hour ago, Babylon said:

Just watched first half of Genk v Bilbao. Genk play an attacking 433 formation, and this fella so far seems to just sit in front of the back four and doesn't stray too much from there. 

 

Certainly not a dynamic Kante for us type game where he's all over the place. Perhaps more like Kante playing for France.

 

The ball has bypassed his area a lot of the time, but when it has dropped near to be fair he is in quickly and does seem pretty nifty at getting a foot in.

 

When he's on the ball he lays it of quickly and keeps the game moving. He also likes a quick straight forward pass to a strikers feet. Certainly not all safe balls, some good risky passes found their mark... but I'd expect a few strays if he's taking risks.

 

Will watch more later!

I watched the last 10 mins of Algeria vs Nigeria and there was a point where he was harrying a defender near the edge of Algerian box giving him no room to be able to pass it forcing the player into a mistake.

[Ric Flair]

The problem is so few teams play 2 in the centre so it's impossible to watch them try and replicate what Kante did for us. Mendy and Amartey would hugely benefit from playing in a midfield 3 for us too but Claudio is as of yet not budging on 4-4-2.

[Babylon]

32 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

The problem is so few teams play 2 in the centre so it's impossible to watch them try and replicate what Kante did for us. Mendy and Amartey would hugely benefit from playing in a midfield 3 for us too but Claudio is as of yet not budging on 4-4-2.

With the amount of CM's we're going to end up with we'll have to play a three in the middle

[Babylon]

1 hour ago, AmarteyAndChill said:

I watched the last 10 mins of Algeria vs Nigeria and there was a point where he was harrying a defender near the edge of Algerian box giving him no room to be able to pass it forcing the player into a mistake.

The Genk fans raved about one of his performances against Bilbao so I'm going to try and watch both games in full. Not sure which one they were on about.

 

So far, he's done well what he's had to do. But like I say, a lot of it has bypassed him as he's really just sitting in front of the defence.

[weller54]

Sure I've seen him close to the KP?... 

There he was just a walking down the street... singing.. 

Do r ndidi didi dum ndidi do... 

[Guest]

There he was just a walking down the street singing

doo ndidi didi dum didi doo

 

[RoyFox]

There's nothing in the Utd rumour apparently, that's the Express being suitably trashy....Just because Utd signed Genks head scout, they came up with this assumption (tabloid logic). (Info from Kristof Terreur - Belgian sports journo). 

[AmarteyAndChill]

2 hours ago, Babylon said:

The Genk fans raved about one of his performances against Bilbao so I'm going to try and watch both games in full. Not sure which one they were on about.

 

So far, he's done well what he's had to do. But like I say, a lot of it has bypassed him as he's really just sitting in front of the defence.

Hopefully that's by instruction and we can turn him into a Vieria type central midfielder.

[Slim Dog]

21 hours ago, kingfox said:

84 potential on Fifa, decent!

Amartey had 84 before the update 

[MC Prussian]

On 30.11.2016 at 15:13, jammie82uk said:

Originally playing in the centerback position, he displayed a wide range of passing and shooting than needed for the role. He was redeployed as a defensive midfielder and central midfielder for the rest of the season. During the Belgian playoff game against Club Brugge, Ndidi would go on to score a world class goal. Receiving an attempted-clearance outside the penalty box, he lofted the ball smoothly over an opposing player before unleashing a ferocious volley into the top right corner. The ball was adjudged to be travelling at over 111 km/hr.

You know, at age 19 he can still grow quite a bit in terms of stature, playing position and maybe his skill set. Shooting, however, usually comes from the start - I can't remember many players maturing in that department over time, as opposed to defending, for instance.

That's one (great) goal out of 7 for Ndidi in 78 games so far - and he is a lot, but not a goalscorer or a creative midfielder from what I can gather. The two goals in five Europa League games need to be regarded as a one-off at present.

 

Ndidi has the signs of another Amartey that we're scouting in the hope of signing another Kanté.

[STUHILL]

Sounds like a decent investment, if the hype is to be believed. Very young and will most likely need time to settle and adapt but the future of our midfield is looking very promising, as long as players like him and Amartey can continue to develop.

I really hope (but suspect) this isn't the only CM we are getting this window though! We are desperate for another quality player on the ball, such as Silva. We are far too reliant on Drinkwater. Ndidi AND Silva please!

 

 

[jammie82uk]

19 minutes ago, MC Prussian said:

You know, at age 19 he can still grow quite a bit in terms of stature, playing position and maybe his skill set. Shooting, however, usually comes from the start - I can't remember many players maturing in that department over time, as opposed to defending, for instance.

That's one (great) goal out of 7 for Ndidi in 78 games so far - and he is a lot, but not a goalscorer or a creative midfielder from what I can gather. The two goals in five Europa League games need to be regarded as a one-off at present.

 

Ndidi has the signs of another Amartey that we're scouting in the hope of signing another Kanté.

That was my reply to someone who said we should get someone who liked the ball at there feet, in his case it seems he does, i never meant it to mean he would be a prolific goal scorer 

 

In any case 7 from 78 for someone playing a very defensive role is a decent return in my opinion 

[Ric Flair]

32 minutes ago, MC Prussian said:

You know, at age 19 he can still grow quite a bit in terms of stature, playing position and maybe his skill set. Shooting, however, usually comes from the start - I can't remember many players maturing in that department over time, as opposed to defending, for instance.

That's one (great) goal out of 7 for Ndidi in 78 games so far - and he is a lot, but not a goalscorer or a creative midfielder from what I can gather. The two goals in five Europa League games need to be regarded as a one-off at present.

 

Ndidi has the signs of another Amartey that we're scouting in the hope of signing another Kanté.

Amartey was signed 6 months before Kante left us, I don't think he was ever signed as a like for like. We just hoped he would be when Kante buggered off.

[MC Prussian]

3 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Amartey was signed 6 months before Kante left us, I don't think he was ever signed as a like for like. We just hoped he would be when Kante buggered off.

Maybe I wasn't clear enough - I wasn't trying to put Amartey and Kanté on the same level player type-wise.

What I mean is that our scouting department seems a bit erratic at the moment. I'd rather have someone more attacking-minded who can be influential in a CAM role.

[STUHILL]

22 minutes ago, MC Prussian said:

Maybe I wasn't clear enough - I wasn't trying to put Amartey and Kanté on the same level player type-wise.

What I mean is that our scouting department seems a bit erratic at the moment. I'd rather have someone more attacking-minded who can be influential in a CAM role.

I think we need both and hopefully we will get both. If not, then as you said, we could be short of another influential midfielder in the centre, unless Mendy shows us he is capable of that. We are too reliant on Drinkwater at the moment. I think we should seriously consider having 3 CM's in a formation change anyway. 4-4-2 without Kante seems doomed to fail. 

[Ric Flair]

49 minutes ago, MC Prussian said:

Maybe I wasn't clear enough - I wasn't trying to put Amartey and Kanté on the same level player type-wise.

What I mean is that our scouting department seems a bit erratic at the moment. I'd rather have someone more attacking-minded who can be influential in a CAM role.

I think we need both and a change in formation but we all know that's highly unlikely under Claudio.