Wilfred Ndidi

[SouthStandUpperTier]

Yep, @ScouseFox is definitely slicing that out for a throw in.

[StanSP]

48 minutes ago, SouthStandUpperTier said:

Yep, @ScouseFox is definitely slicing that out for a throw in.

Definitely doesn't even touch the ball.

[ScouseFox]

he is literally on the penalty spot, completely unchallenged and people are saying fair play that he didn't score, tough chance. 

 

this is nothing against ndidi by the way, footballers miss easy chances all the time. it's why xG doesn't mean goals scored. but honestly most people with working feet would be disappointed they didn't score from there.

[ajthefox]

I wouldn't say sitter but it's a pretty good chance. Everyone in the ground was expecting a goal.

[Guest]

It's a good chance and he should definitely score but to me a sitter is a one-on-one in the box or an open goal, something like that, not a chance on your weak foot with four defenders trying to block it 

[ScouseFox]

id say that was a much better chance than a 1 on 1

[LC/FC]

Been watching highlights cause I'm bored but Ndidi's passing has come on leaps and bounds.

I think previously managers just wanted him to shield the backline and pass it to another player to create something. 

This season he has been turned into a quarterback (italian regista?) with some phenomenal raking passes to Chilwell and Pereira who have bombed on down the wings, which I don't remember seeing him do much before. 

[turtmcfly]

52 minutes ago, ScouseFox said:

id say that was a much better chance than a 1 on 1

You're a bit of a one for exaggeration aren't you?

[Vardinio'sCat]

20 hours ago, weller54 said:

What a dreadful 'word' methinks is! 

How has it come about? 

 

Sorry. 

 

I went a bit it Rees-Mogg for a minute. It's Shakespeare innit. 

[Happy Fox]

Lovely piece on him on the premier league website:

 

https://www.premierleague.com/news/1494119

 

With nearly a third of 2019/20 gone, Adrian Clarke looks at the surprise success stories of the season so far.

Leicester City

Sitting in second, the Foxes will travel to Brighton & Hove Albion in Matchweek 13 as Liverpool's nearest challengers at the top.

Playing attacking football without sacrificing defensive strength, Leicester have amassed 26 points from their 12 matches.

It is the most they have had at this stage of a top-flight campaign, and one more than in their 2015/16 title-winning campaign.

While top scorer Jamie Vardy has grabbed the headlines, just as important to the team has been Wilfred Ndidi.

The defensive midfielder is integral to Leicester and holds their 4-1-4-1 shape together.

Heir to Kante

Ndidi provides outstanding protection to centre-backs Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu and also links defence to attack in an efficient manner.

Calm on the ball while athletic and defensively intelligent, the 22-year-old has the look of a player who can emulate the success of former Leicester hero N’Golo Kante.

Ndidi still has some way to go to match Kante, who was 24 at the start of Leicester's Premier League Trophy-winning season.

But, when comparing Ndidi's influence for Leicester in 2019/20 with Kante's in 2015/16, the former is outperforming the latter in terms of tackles and duels won.

This is all the more impressive given that Leicester average 57.7 per cent possession this term, way more than the 42.4 per cent of 2015/16.

With more of the ball, Ndidi has less time to win it back. 

Kante 15/16 v Ndidi 19/20

Per 90	Kante	Ndidi
Tackles	5.2	5.5
Tackle success	71.4%	48.3%
Interceptions	4.6	3.3
Possession won	9.7	9.4
Duels won	8.3	9.1
Recoveries	9.7	9.4

This season, Ndidi is by some distance the most prolific tackler in the Premier League.

His average of 5.5 tackles per 90 minutes is way ahead of his closest challenger, Aston Villa's Marvelous Nakamba, who averages 4.1.

Always on the move and looking to break up play, Ndidi has also made the most interceptions.

2019/20 Premier League

Most tackles		Most interceptions		Most possession won
Wilfred Ndidi	60	Wilfred Ndidi	36	Jorginho	107
Joao Moutinho	43	Philip Billing	30	Dale Stephens	105
Oriol Romeu	41	Declan Rice	25	Wilfred Ndidi	103

These strengths are invaluable to the way Brendan Rodgers asks his side to play.

Without Ndidi's ball-winning skills, Leicester would not be able to give both full-backs and attacking midfielders such freedom to burst forward.

The security he provides enables Ricardo Pereira, Ben Chilwell, James Maddison and Youri Tielemans to express themselves.

And while Leicester are no longer a counter-attacking team, the way Ndidi breaks up play ensures they still remain a huge threat from turnovers and transitions.

Whenever Ndidi retrieves possession everyone around him springs into life.

And not only that, he has weighed in with two goals himself this season.

 

Despite his influence, it is interesting to note that nine Leicester players make more passes per 90 minutes than Ndidi's 49.

He usually comes short to offer himself for a pass, but this is not to act as a deep-lying playmaker.

Instead it makes opponents close him down, which draws their second striker or a midfielder out of position.

Ndidi is often used as a decoy by Leicester, allowing his more creative team-mates to drop into holes around him to collect passes.

Midfield MVP

Starting all but one of their matches this season, Ndidi is without doubt one of the Foxes' most valuable players.

In the Leicester midfield only Tielemans, with 1,073 minutes, can better Ndidi's 990 minutes played.

If he stays fit, the team's prospects of finishing in the top four, or even pushing for the title, will be greatly improved

[dmayne7]

That tackle success stat says everything you need to know about Kante. Absolute freak.

 

I'd be surprised if Wilf hasn't improved in that regard. I often found the tackling stats misleading for him as he wouldn't win the ball cleanly or it would end up back with the opposition. He's far more aggressive in the tackle now and it's showing. For all his obvious improvement with the ball, I think the strides made in his tackling are just as impressive.

[Foxxed]

1 hour ago, dmayne7 said:

That tackle success stat says everything you need to know about Kante. Absolute freak.

 

I'd be surprised if Wilf hasn't improved in that regard. I often found the tackling stats misleading for him as he wouldn't win the ball cleanly or it would end up back with the opposition. He's far more aggressive in the tackle now and it's showing. For all his obvious improvement with the ball, I think the strides made in his tackling are just as impressive.

It's incredible really. It's only the tackle success rate where Kanté beats him, with the interception rate being heavily influenced on the type of football we played back then. Kanté has much improved now but having a defensive midfielder who is approaching 15/16 Kanté is a huge credit to our scouts, Brendan and the man himself.

[Hammo]

Our current team is a treasure chest of delights.

 

Lile a Soyuncu ‘Cruyff turn’, a Maddison free kick, a Vardy sliding block or a sudden burst of acceleration from Ricardo, a Wilf tackle is a thing of beauty.

Edited 16 November 2019 by Hammo

[Gerard]

On 13/11/2019 at 12:18, Stadt said:

Difficult to hit the target when there’s so many players in the goal mouth. I think the only way 95% of players are scoring from there is if they shift the ball first to disrupt the positions of the other players 

 

 

That screenshot also shows just how dominant we were, we’ve got 2 players in their 6 yard box, our RB so far up the pitch he’s not even on it, 3 players in loads of space including our DM who’s the one shooting

 

Looking at that photo it's the sort of shot that you aim half way up the goal and 3/4 to the side and put your foot through it. I think Ndidi has done everything right there as there are five players blocking a path straight to the goal. i would guess XG would be about 0.4.

 

I really don't think he's done anything wrong in his shot selection and hitting the bar from here is just a tad unlucky and certainly not a sitter. 

[Stadt]

47 minutes ago, Gerard said:

 

Looking at that photo it's the sort of shot that you aim half way up the goal and 3/4 to the side and put your foot through it. I think Ndidi has done everything right there as there are five players blocking a path straight to the goal. i would guess XG would be about 0.4.

 

I really don't think he's done anything wrong in his shot selection and hitting the bar from here is just a tad unlucky and certainly not a sitter. 

I don't really trust Understat's xG figures that well, nor do I see the value at looking at one particular shot through the lens of xG because there's so many contextual factors missing however they have it as 0.09 xG. Far too low in my opinion but I'm not sure I'd go quite as high as 0.4

[Nicolo Barella]

1 hour ago, Stadt said:

I don't really trust Understat's xG figures that well, nor do I see the value at looking at one particular shot through the lens of xG because there's so many contextual factors missing however they have it as 0.09 xG. Far too low in my opinion but I'm not sure I'd go quite as high as 0.4

To be honest, I wouldn't disagree that Ndidi would score that 1/10 times (although of course that's not what xG is)

[HankMarvin]

University challenge: Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, dubbed The Octopus by his team-mates, on juggling his football career with studying for a business degree

• Wilfred Ndidi studies at De Montfort University after Leicester's training sessions
• He says he would rather use his time furthering his education than play FIFA
• The midfielder is a key part to a Leicester team who sit second in Premier League

 

Wilfred Ndidi says he has learned more in nine months under Brendan Rodgers than at any other time in his career — and the lessons carry on long after he has finished training.

The Leicester midfielder has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season, earning the nickname The Octopus from team-mates because of his long legs, which he uses to great effect snuffing out danger before it reaches the Foxes' defence.

He leads the top-flight tables for tackles and interceptions, with 59 and 36 respectively, and is key to a team who are second in the division after 12 matches, with one more point than champions Manchester City.

 

Wilfred Ndidi is determined to further his education despite being a Premier League footballer

Ndidi never switches off, either on the pitch or away from it. When his team-mates disperse at the end of a session, he makes the two-mile journey from the club's Belvoir Drive base to De Montfort University, where he is studying for a degree in business and tourism.

Many students will have done a double take at the sight of a Premier League footballer strolling around campus during the afternoons, but their eyes are not deceiving them. Ndidi is determined to further his education as part of a plan to improve that of many others in his home country.

'I have spare time, so instead of sitting and playing FIFA, it's good to understand the four walls of schooling,' Ndidi tells Sportsmail. 'When I was 12 or 13 I left home to further my football career and, while I kept up my studies, I always wanted to continue my education later in life.

'I go for one-on-one sessions with a lecturer and I've recently done an exam, involving a project and a presentation. I got 63 per cent in the presentation and 65 per cent in the project. I'm really happy that De Montfort have been able to help.

 

 

Ndidi is taking advantage of his spare time by studying for a business degree at university

'I want to understand the outside world of business and I have a plan to build a school, similar to Aspire in Qatar (a sports academy that also provides secondary education). I've been there with the Nigeria national team and you see that young players are also receiving an education.

'In Nigeria some players want to play football and then they forget about school. But if you do both you can continue with whichever one works out, instead of just hoping for football, football — and then you don't make it.

'All my life I wanted to play football and this is my career now but there was pressure from my dad not to go that way because he wanted me to stay at school. He was not convinced I was doing the right thing until he first saw me on television, playing for the Under 17 national team. The population of Nigeria is massive and it is so hard to make the grade as a footballer, so I have a clear vision of a place where you can play football and study, either in Lagos or Abuja.

'I have spoken to my godfather about making it happen. If kids don't make it in football, I want them to think they can get a degree and work, instead of roaming the streets.'

 

The midfielder has been an instrumental figure in Leicester's fantastic start to the season

At 23, Ndidi's outlook is strikingly mature but he has been overcoming challenges from a young age. When he was barely a teenager, he left the family home to join the Nathaniel Boys Football Academy in Lagos. He then spent nine months in a training camp in Calabar, in the south of the country, with the Nigeria Under 17 squad. 

Players were allowed access to their phones only for a few hours on Sundays so they stayed focused on the qualifiers for the African Under 17 Championship.

By the age of 18, Ndidi had moved to Europe permanently after accepting a contract with Genk in the Belgian top flight.

He stayed with a local family who remain friends to this day and travel to England once a month to watch him in action for Leicester — even though Ndidi's lack of adventure with his diet was a constant source of frustration.

He recalls being offered lobster but they 'complained as the only thing I asked them to cook was rice', he chuckles. 'Just rice! They would say, "Try this, try that?" and I would say no.' Ndidi has become a little less fussy at the table since then and there is no doubt that Rodgers' recipe at Leicester is working for him.

 

He left home at 17 to join a team in Lagos and made the move to Genk the following year

Having grown up as a centre back, Ndidi is still adapting to his role at the base of midfield but feels he is making up for lost time. Since joining Leicester in January 2017, he has worked under four permanent managers — Claudio Ranieri, Craig Shakespeare, Claude Puel and Rodgers — and only now does he feel his potential is being unlocked.

'He (Rodgers) has given me so much information,' Ndidi reveals. 'If I had known this for a long time, the way I think I'm going... I feel comfortable and happy, knowing these things.

'What have I learned? First of all it's about facing the larger part of the pitch when I receive the ball. Then it's knowing when to go with one touch, two touches, or when to leave the ball and just go with the body. At first, when I'd been converted from a central defender to a midfielder, I didn't know these things. 

'I just went out and played. When it's a tight situation on the pitch, sometimes I don't really go and ask for the ball, but this information has really helped my confidence, even to ask for the ball during the game. 

 

 

Ndidi is mature for someone who is still only 23 having overcome challenges from a young age

 

'Brendan Rodgers has changed the way the players see and understand the game. When he came, at first we didn't understand everything, but the manager has brought out this fire in everyone.'

Ndidi first became aware of Leicester when they won the title in 2015-16, shortly before he joined the club. Veterans from that campaign remain — Kasper Schmeichel, Jamie Vardy, Wes Morgan — while Jonny Evans has title-winning experience with Manchester United.

They understand the pressure involved but so does Ndidi, thanks to his international career. He has won 35 caps for Nigeria and says: 'It's serious pressure. There are no friendlies in Nigeria.

'Last month we played a friendly against Brazil in Singapore. We drew 1-1 and should have won. It was a good result but with the pressure coming before the game, it felt like a final. But you have to adapt — look at Leicester when they won the league.

'There are no small teams, no small countries any more. Anything can happen in this game.'

 

[LC/FC]

The Dailyfail has just had a massive Leicester City article orgasm or something because there's 4 articles posted just now on us. 

This Ndidi one, A Maddison contract one, Chillwell offers rejection one and a Brendan press conference write up. 

We're massive! 

 

Oh and some German defender one. 5 articles on Leicester for the clicks. 

Edited 21 November 2019 by LC/FC

[Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot]

I absolutely love the man.

[Raw Dykes]

What a player. His tackling and interception stats are insane. Thought he'd be a top defensive mid, but always limited on the ball. He's shown since BR's been here that he can add passing to his game. Looks much more confident with the ball now. Could even be compared to Kante, and he's still young. Never thought we'd have another player like him again!

[fuchsntf]

1 hour ago, Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot said:

I absolutely love the man.

I Think I am having an Affair with at least 14 of them..!!!

[Dan LCFC]

Bloke's an absolute credit. Fantastic player, fantastic attitude.

[KingsX]

I love this kid even more than I loved Ngolo.  What superlative character for someone who is only just an adult.

 

And for those (most?) of us who’ve always said, if he could only add passing and a hint of ball retention to his game … voila, and thank you Brendan …

 

4 hours ago, HankMarvin said:

'What have I learned? First of all it's about facing the larger part of the pitch when I receive the ball. Then it's knowing when to go with one touch, two touches, or when to leave the ball and just go with the body. At first, when I'd been converted from a central defender to a midfielder, I didn't know these things. 

'I just went out and played. When it's a tight situation on the pitch, sometimes I don't really go and ask for the ball, but this information has really helped my confidence, even to ask for the ball during the game.

[urban fox]

He is the glue that holds our midfield together, giving the others a licence to roam and do their stuff as they know that they have mr reliable at their backs. I am sure that without that confidence they would be able to try some of the more audacious passes that actually create stuff. Youri was criticized a bit at the start of the season as he didn't seem to have the swagger that he originally came with. It is no coincide that the better Wilf gets the better the rest get as their confidence to try stuff increases. Its the same as a defender, you always play better when you have confidence in the keeper behind you.

That said whenever we are watching him anywhere within 30 yards of the box we still shout "don't shoot wilf" at the TV.

Has to have a shout for player of the year if he keeps this up.

[LC/FC]

3 minutes ago, urban fox said:

He is the glue that holds our midfield together, giving the others a licence to roam and do their stuff as they know that they have mr reliable at their backs. I am sure that without that confidence they would be able to try some of the more audacious passes that actually create stuff. Youri was criticized a bit at the start of the season as he didn't seem to have the swagger that he originally came with. It is no coincide that the better Wilf gets the better the rest get as their confidence to try stuff increases. Its the same as a defender, you always play better when you have confidence in the keeper behind you.

That said whenever we are watching him anywhere within 30 yards of the box we still shout "don't shoot wilf" at the TV.

Has to have a shout for player of the year if he keeps this up.

Ironic that, since his first goal for us was an absolute screamer!