Get Carter’s Leicester player reviews 2021/22: Defensive midfielders

Get Carter’s Leicester City player reviews turns its attentions towards a key part of the pitch, the defensive midfielders.

Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi

Appearances – 30 / Premier League – 19 / FA Cup – 1 / League Cup – 2 / Europe – 8

Goals – 2 / 1 Europa Conference League / 1 Europa League

Moment to savour – A European goal against Legia Warsaw

Moment to forget – A bizarre handball to concede a penalty against Legia

Compared to other seasons, it’s not been a vintage year for Wilfred Ndidi. As with many Leicester players, it’s been a season curtailed by injury and interrupted by unstable team partners. Having only managed to appear in half of last season’s games, he still struggled to make an impression of the lofty heights we would usually expect. Of the 19 Premier League games he appeared in, 8 ended in defeat, his impact is diminishing somewhat.

The Super Eagle is normally known for his tackling and interceptions which continue to be strong, albeit diminished due to lack of game time. Although that enthusiasm can sometimes be misplaced as he clumsily conceded 3 penalties this season. But the dominant bullying displays in the middle of the park have not been as prominent. Furthermore, his lack of passing range is starting to become more and more clear as teams visit the King Power Stadium driving their team bus directly in front of the goal.

Ndidi is too often positioned square on to his opponents and tends to play the safe sideways or backward pass much to the delight of opposing players. This isn’t something that has normally been an issue, as he has tended to adopt that defensive midfield role with power and aggression. But when he is asked to do something with the ball, that is when his game looks at its weakest.

Additionally, the DM’s shooting ability seems to be getting worse year on year (four Premier league shots on target all season from a total of 14). These elements may go some way to explain why he hasn’t been courted by any of the top six clubs in recent years. For a player that Leicester City fans hold in such high regard, it needs to be recognised that Ndidi still has much of his game to improve upon.

Rating: 6/10 – Chance of leaving 5%