Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 Leicester: 3 Things we learned

Wilfred Ndidi’s return has given Leicester City more steel

There was a time at one point when Nampalys Mendy’s displays were making us forget about the Nigerian internationals importance to the team. Mendy keeping the play ticking over and winning the ball was a welcome sight as we all fretted about Ndidi’s absence.

Today in North London, Ndidi was colossal. Pinching the ball from the toes of the opposition and ensuring that every time they turned into space that even if they didn’t have the ball taken from them they were met with the sight of the eager No.25. Tottenham aren’t afraid to mix it up physically so having a player in the Leicester side that was eager to match up with the physical part of the game was crucial to ensure they didn’t get bullied.

His overall passing game has improved as the Nigerian followed Mendy’s example for keeping the play ticking over and making sure Spurs were not able to relax. Add this to his positioning and jumping to win headers and make himself a general nuisance whenever a 50/50 challenge needed to be competed. Most crucially his thirst for the physical battling was infectious, as players like Youri Tielemans and James Maddison started showing the same desire in closing down the opposition that they sometimes shy away from.

The foxes are sometimes accused of being a soft touch, so Ndidi’s presence in the side will ensure that accusation starts to diminish. If he can turn in more man of the match performances like this then Brendan Rodgers side are only going to be harder to beat.