Ndidi to Liverpool

[the fox]

i won't begrudge him a move but i think he should stay for at least another season. he would be what? 22? We could get a great amount of money for him if the club decides to sell.

[Leeds Fox]

19 hours ago, Marutimon said:

Naby Keita is not a defensive midfielder and has never played as one for Leipzig.

 

For lack of better qualification he's like a deep lying attacking midfielder. He has defensive stats like the best defensive midfielders and attacking stats like the best attacking midfielders. There is no way any rational coach would limit him to a purely defensive midfielder role. 

 

He's basically the full package - the closest thing there ever was to him was Michael Essien prime, but Naby Keita is a classy dribbler.

 

Wouldn’t put it past Klopp to nullify him to suit his high tempo pressing game. I don’t think he will do that but I wouldn’t put it past him. 

[Ric Flair]

On 18/02/2018 at 22:04, Marutimon said:

Naby Keita is not a defensive midfielder and has never played as one for Leipzig.

 

For lack of better qualification he's like a deep lying attacking midfielder. He has defensive stats like the best defensive midfielders and attacking stats like the best attacking midfielders. There is no way any rational coach would limit him to a purely defensive midfielder role. 

 

He's basically the full package - the closest thing there ever was to him was Michael Essien prime, but Naby Keita is a classy dribbler.

The closest thing to the complete package in midfield is Kevin De Bruyne 

[Marutimon]

4 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

The closest thing to the complete package in midfield is Kevin De Bruyne 

Sorry, but no.

By no mean am I saying Keita is better, but De Bruyne does not have Keita's defensive abilities. Keita has defensive stats like a defensive midfielder, but attacking stats like an attacking midfielder. Not to mention Naby Keita is a much better dribbler. Kevin de Bruyne lacks the defensive capacity that Keita has to be the complete package that Keita is.

 

Kevin De Bruyne is the best midfielder in the world, but he's not a complete package. Simple logic: Can you imaging Kevin De Bruyne play as a DM? No. But Naby Keita can. It's just a waste playing him there given how much he brings offensively.

 

That said I'm pretty certain that next season when Naby Keita comes in Liverpool will truely challenge for the title.

 

Naby Keita - tackles per game 2,6, interceptions 2,3, dribbles 3,3, key passes 1,5 

Kevin De Bruyne - tackles per game 1,7, interceptions 0,8, dribbles 1,6, key passes 2,8

Edited 20 February 2018 by Marutimon

[Ric Flair]

14 minutes ago, Marutimon said:

Sorry, but no.

By no mean am I saying Keita is better, but De Bruyne does not have Keita's defensive abilities. Keita has defensive stats like a defensive midfielder, but attacking stats like an attacking midfielder. Not to mention Naby Keita is a much better dribbler. Kevin de Bruyne lacks the defensive capacity that Keita has to be the complete package that Keita is.

 

Kevin De Bruyne is the best midfielder in the world, but he's not a complete package. Simple logic: Can you imaging Kevin De Bruyne play as a DM? No. But Naby Keita can. It's just a waste playing him there given how much he brings offensively.

 

That said I'm pretty certain that next season when Naby Keita comes in Liverpool will truely challenge for the title.

 

Naby Keita - tackles per game 2,6, interceptions 2,3, dribbles 3,3, key passes 1,5 

Kevin De Bruyne - tackles per game 1,7, interceptions 0,8, dribbles 1,6, key passes 2,8

De Bruyne could play anywhere and be one of the best on the park

[Leeds Fox]

35 minutes ago, Marutimon said:

Sorry, but no.

By no mean am I saying Keita is better, but De Bruyne does not have Keita's defensive abilities. Keita has defensive stats like a defensive midfielder, but attacking stats like an attacking midfielder. Not to mention Naby Keita is a much better dribbler. Kevin de Bruyne lacks the defensive capacity that Keita has to be the complete package that Keita is.

 

Kevin De Bruyne is the best midfielder in the world, but he's not a complete package. Simple logic: Can you imaging Kevin De Bruyne play as a DM? No. But Naby Keita can. It's just a waste playing him there given how much he brings offensively.

 

That said I'm pretty certain that next season when Naby Keita comes in Liverpool will truely challenge for the title.

 

Naby Keita - tackles per game 2,6, interceptions 2,3, dribbles 3,3, key passes 1,5 

Kevin De Bruyne - tackles per game 1,7, interceptions 0,8, dribbles 1,6, key passes 2,8

 

De Bruyne plays for Man City, even as a DM he wouldn’t have those kind of stats. They hold too much possession. He could play anywhere and be top class. He’s not only good technically, he’s athletic, strong,  clever... the list goes on. 

[Marutimon]

Fernandinho plays for Man City and has those kind of stats.

 

Fact is De Bruyne has never played as a DM and has never posted those kind of stats in any team. Also - Naby Keita posts those kind of defensive stats even when played as an attacking midfielder, so the point that De Bruyne doesn't post those stats because he plays in an advanced position is baseless.

 

You guys are making the argument De Bruyne is the better player, not the most complete one.

[Royston.]

if liverpool meet my asking price of 100m + steven gerrard then its a deal.

[Bluetintedspecs]

What's with all this give us another year, don't  begrudge him a move etc bs?

He's a young improving phenomenal talent with 4 years left on his contract, the only thing we should be contemplating is improving his terms and extending not selling!

[ZeGuy]

6 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

De Bruyne could play anywhere and be one of the best on the park

Did you see Keita play? Genuine question.

[TheStig]

Oh - I was under the impression that he was under contract at Leicester....... maybe he is just playing here for fun? The owners have clearly demonstrated - with the Mahrez "thing" in mind that we are not a selling club anymore - at last. So N´didi will be here also after the summer window

Edited 20 February 2018 by TheStig

[Ric Flair]

1 hour ago, ZeGuy said:

Did you see Keita play? Genuine question.

Is the question have I seen him play before or did I see him play in a particular occasion where he was the complete package? 

[Tringfox]

1 hour ago, Bluetintedspecs said:

What's with all this give us another year, don't  begrudge him a move etc bs?

He's a young improving phenomenal talent with 4 years left on his contract, the only thing we should be contemplating is improving his terms and extending not selling!

I honestly don’t see him as being a phenomenal talent when he’s technically very poor!! It’s just my opinion. 

[Kp1984]

I know this has nothing to do with Ndidi but what a waist it is Drinkwater sitting on Chelsea’s bench coming on with 6 or 7 mins left ? he shouldent have left it was obvious that’s what would happen  

[Bluetintedspecs]

56 minutes ago, Tringfox said:

I honestly don’t see him as being a phenomenal talent when he’s technically very poor!! It’s just my opinion. 

That's what is brilliant about football Tringfox......opinions!  

I personally think he's a superstar in the making and will just keep getting better, time will tell obviously! 

[Tringfox]

1 hour ago, Bluetintedspecs said:

That's what is brilliant about football Tringfox......opinions!  

I personally think he's a superstar in the making and will just keep getting better, time will tell obviously! 

I sincerely hope your right! 

[davieG]

WILFRED NDIDI: ANOTHER STAR IS BORN AT LEICESTER CITY

Riyad Mahrez. Jamie Vardy. Ngolo Kante. Three prime examples of the significant impact a knowledgeable and composed recruitment team can have on a club.

Riyad Mahrez for example, signed from French Ligue 2 side, Le Havre for £400k and an individual who has been subject to £60m + transfer speculation in recent seasons. Jamie Vardy, well everyone knows the Englishman’s emphatic rise from non-league Stocksbridge Park Steels to appearing for England in the World Cup. Finally, Ngolo Kante, the player who was too small to play football. Signed from Caen for £8m and a footballer who after intercepting almost everything that passes him in 90 minutes, could play another 90 minutes and do just as valuable job. Sold onto Chelsea for £32million.

These players were essentially nobodies in the footballing world before their moves to Leicestershire. This is all credit to the players; however, it is credit to the team Leicester have behind them, their structure, their aims and their ability to pick a diamond from the rough. The three players already mentioned have been some of Leicester’s stand-out performers in recent campaigns and have made an influential impact to the squad. It is fair to say that the facilities and infrastructures surrounding the players at Leicester in comparison to what they left behind them is significantly better, yet nonetheless they are now incredible players and could without a doubt be considered in most clubs across Europe.

Embed from Getty Images

The story behind all this is another speculative talent Leicester have identified. Wilfred Ndidi. Signed from Belgium club Genk, the Nigerian has proved himself to be a top quality Premier League player and is week by week improving in the centre of the park for the Foxes.

At only 21, the 6ft Nigerian international has a little bit of everything to offer to Leicester and is a vital component to the core of Claude Puels team. He is a physical, aggressive and self-assured athlete who offers much to a Leicester City team which he is now certainly, a pivotal element in their clockwork.

One of his many profound features is his ability to take the ball from oncoming opponents. When Kante joined from Caen back in 2015, his ability to win the ball back was noticeable and almost merged itself in to a ‘standard Leicester performance’ which would include pacey counter-attacks and a courageous defence. After Kante’s first season with the Foxes he finished the season at the top of the tackling charts across all 5 top European leagues too. This honour now belongs to Ndidi and in terms of the Premier League table, he is significantly above his fellow Premier League players. He has made 113 tackles in the Premier League this season which is 28 ahead of Everton’s Idrissa Gueye on 85.

Embed from Getty Images

Alongside his physicality and strength on the ball, he can score a goal too. The Nigerian has 4 goals to his name since he began at Leicester City, with two memorable strikes amongst these, most notably against Derby in the FA Cup last season. In Summer 2018, Ndidi will have been on the books at Leicester City for only a year and a half and being the transfer to replace Ngolo Kante, he quickly cemented his place within the Leicester ranks and has become a regular starter at the King Power.

It has been reported in local Leicestershire and Liverpool papers within the last few weeks that Liverpool are looking to bring the Nigerian to Merseyside come Summer and he would certainly make an influential addition to Klopp’s side.  It is being reported that Liverpool are prepared to pay up to £50 million for the Leicester centre midfielder come the transfer window, this undoubtedly to cover the likely departure of German, Emre Can. However, as seen with Riyad Mahrez the last few transfer windows, Leicester would certainly be reluctant to sell and would only let the 21 year-old leave if the price was right.

Sitting at only 21 years old and already having 14 caps for his international side, Nigeria, it would be no surprise if Ndidi will find himself not in the blue of Leicester in time to come and there will be plenty of teams sniffing around for his services. As for now, he is a Leicester player and no doubt enjoying his experience in England. With Nigeria qualifying for Russia this summer, it will be the world he has to impress then and not just the 30,000 inside the King Power on a Saturday come Summer. Only time will tell for the youngster.

Written by Eamon Kitching.

[Steven]

 £50 million! Ha, ha. Double that to even start a discussion. 

[desertfox2]

Wouldn't be surprised to see Mourinho interested in the summer too. Hope we can hold on to him but the cat is out of the bag now and he's getting noticed. We all knew how good Kante was long before he started getting plaudits. Ndidi, especially for his age, is top draw and will probably go but it will take a lot of money. Anyone know how long his contract was when he signed? 5 years?.

[Vlad the Fox]

On 20 February 2018 at 18:47, Bluetintedspecs said:

What's with all this give us another year, don't  begrudge him a move etc bs?

He's a young improving phenomenal talent with 4 years left on his contract, the only thing we should be contemplating is improving his terms and extending not selling!

This. Some of our support has such a small time attitude, can't they see how far we've come and where we're striving to get to.  

[Steven]

3 hours ago, desertfox2 said:

Wouldn't be surprised to see Mourinho interested in the summer too. Hope we can hold on to him but the cat is out of the bag now and he's getting noticed. We all knew how good Kante was long before he started getting plaudits. Ndidi, especially for his age, is top draw and will probably go but it will take a lot of money. Anyone know how long his contract was when he signed? 5 years?.

Quite.

[ARM1968]

Wilf is ‘potentially’ one of the best midfielders in the Prem. he is literally awesome and growing by the game. 

 

Highly unlikely we will hold on to him long term. Hopefully another season. He is, though, likely to be a £100 million player. 

[1972 Fox]

5 hours ago, desertfox2 said:

Wouldn't be surprised to see Mourinho interested in the summer too. Hope we can hold on to him but the cat is out of the bag now and he's getting noticed. We all knew how good Kante was long before he started getting plaudits. Ndidi, especially for his age, is top draw and will probably go but it will take a lot of money. Anyone know how long his contract was when he signed? 5 years?.

Yes I imagine Wilf can afford the good sh1t man!

 

[MPH]

Both Maguire and Ndidi would be foolish to move in the summer. They are both at the stage of their career where they need to be playing every game to continue their growth,

 

 

Expect new contracts for both in the summer.. There's no reason why they shouldn't be included with our 'best players' 

[Tuna]

He'll be some player when he's reached his potential. I think he's destined for bigger things but would like to keep him for at least another season. I wouldn't accept anything less than £50 million for him.