Leicester City’s £75k-a-week Star Proving to Be Their Most Vital Player – Three Key Stats Show Why

Wilfred Ndidi has consistently attracted interest from other clubs throughout his time at Leicester City, and this past summer was no exception.

Everton, along with Ligue 1 sides Lyon and Marseille, were linked with the Nigerian midfielder during the recent transfer window.

Despite Leicester City spending the 2023/24 season in the Championship and facing a challenging campaign, the club decided to retain Ndidi.

He renewed his contract on July 12, 2024, and has become a crucial player for manager Steve Cooper in the 2024/25 season.

At 27, Ndidi has started every Premier League game for Leicester so far this term and is delivering some of his best performances.

Although he had a tough outing against Aston Villa, his overall impact on the team has been immense.

Ndidi Leading Premier League in Defensive Stats, Vital to Leicester City

While Leicester lost 3-1 to Nottingham Forest in their recent match and didn’t perform at their best, Ndidi still showed his value.

According to Opta, he now leads the Premier League in tackles with 33, while also ranking second in total duels won (64).

Given his role as a defensive midfielder, it’s impressive yet expected for him to excel in these areas.

What’s even more remarkable, however, is that only Bukayo Saka (7), Mohamed Salah (5), and Cole Palmer (5) have more assists than Ndidi’s four in the Premier League so far this season.

These stats highlight Ndidi’s critical role at Leicester and underscore the importance of his summer contract renewal.

Steve Cooper’s Midfield Dilemma at Leicester City

Leicester’s results this season have been mixed, with a few areas needing improvement. However, their central midfield is arguably one of the squad’s strongest points.

Over the summer, Leicester brought in exciting prospects like Bilal El Khannouss, while Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp have shown promise early in the season.

Ndidi’s outstanding form adds to Cooper’s options in midfield, giving him four high-caliber players for just two starting spots.

This depth presents a “good problem” for Cooper, though it will require careful management to keep all players engaged and performing throughout the season.

With Ndidi leading defensive metrics and contributing to Leicester’s attack, his presence strengthens the Foxes’ campaign.

Holding onto him through the summer has proven to be a wise decision, especially as he continues to make his mark in the Premier League.