Losing this crucial asset is behind Leicester’s recent unexpected downturn – opinion
Leicester City's Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi runs back to the half-way line after scoring their late equalizer during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and West Ham United at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on October 27, 2018. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
Leicester City have been scintillating in the Premier League this season under Brendan Rodgers, utilising a 4-1-4-1 formation which is not common throughout the division. Part of the reason the Foxes have been the third-best side in the country is due to their defensive shield Wilfred Ndidi.
The Nigerian operates in front of the back four as a screen to protect them and provide cover through the centre for wing-backs Ricardo Pereira and Ben Chilwell to burst forwards. But without Ndidi in the past two matches, Leicester City have been nowhere near as effective, which indicates the astronomical importance of the Nigerian.
Ndidi missed the Carabao Cup semi-final with Aston Villa, due to a knee injury, and even though the Foxes dominated the ball, they were exposed by the opposition and spent much of the game a goal down. Eventually, Leicester equalised, but with Ndidi present they may have had enough protection to prevent conceding in the first place. However, the real shock was in the Premier League on Saturday when Rodgers’ side threw away a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 to Southampton, a team they had beaten 9-0 earlier in the campaign.
Against the Saints, Leicester were way off the tempo they set when the two sides met last, as they conceded chances to the opposition at will. Southampton had over triple the Foxes’ number of shots and double on target, with Hamza Choudhury overrun in Ndidi’s absence.
Aside from Premier League top scorer Jamie Vardy, there is perhaps no other player at Rodgers’ disposal who is as crucial to the Northern Irishman than his Nigerian midfielder. It is highlighted by the defensive statistics he has recorded this season, as no player has made more tackles than Ndidi, along with the midfielder averaging almost one interception more than the next closest Foxes player, per game. Furthermore, only Caglar Soyuncu has won more aerial battles per match than Ndidi for Leicester City this season.
The defensive midfielder’s presence in front of the back four is virtually irreplaceable. His absence through injury highlights further just how important Ndidi has been to Leicester City this term, which is why they have recorded some shock results without him.