Leicester City International Break Player Ratings: Standout Performances and Ndidi’s Struggles – Opinion

Several Leicester City players were in action during the recent international break, representing their countries in World Cup qualifiers and Nations League fixtures worldwide.

 

Nearly all of them featured in at least one game, with the exception of Mads Hermansen, who remained an unused substitute in Denmark’s two matches against Portugal, and Danny Ward, who stayed on the bench for Wales.

 

Fortunately for Ruud van Nistelrooy, no new injury concerns emerged from the break.

 

However, he may have some concerns regarding the performances of certain Leicester players for their respective national teams.

Wout Faes (Belgium) – 6

 

Despite receiving criticism for his club performances this season, Wout Faes delivered a solid display in his only appearance for Belgium during this international window.

 

The centre-back was part of a dominant Belgian side that secured a 3-0 victory over Ukraine in the second leg of their Nations League clash.

 

His performance was well received by Belgian media, who praised his contribution.

 

Though his form for Leicester has been inconsistent, this could serve as a confidence boost for the remainder of the season.

 

Jannik Vestergaard (Denmark) – 7

 

Jannik Vestergaard had an eventful international break. He drew attention for bringing his dog to training but put aside any off-field distractions to deliver a commanding performance in Denmark’s first-leg encounter against Portugal.

 

Dubbed a “colossus” by Danish media, Vestergaard helped his side contain Portugal.

 

However, he also featured in the heavy defeat in the return leg. If he can replicate his national team form at Leicester, he might regain favor among fans.

 

Victor Kristiansen (Denmark) – 5

 

Victor Kristiansen appeared to be on the fringes of Denmark’s squad after remarks from Brian Riemer but unexpectedly got his chance when Patrick Dorgu suffered an injury.

 

However, his introduction in the second leg against Portugal proved disastrous. Denmark collapsed after his arrival, ultimately suffering a 5-2 defeat.

 

The performance did little to improve his standing within the national team setup.

 

Jordan Ayew (Ghana) – 8

 

Jordan Ayew had a fantastic international break, excelling for Ghana as both captain and key playmaker.

 

He scored and assisted in a 5-0 demolition of Chad before delivering a stunning performance against Madagascar, registering a hat-trick of assists in a 3-0 victory.

 

Ghanaian media praised him, describing his display as a “masterclass.” This form could provide a much-needed confidence boost for Ayew as he returns to club football.

 

Bilal El Khannouss (Morocco) – 9

 

Bilal El Khannouss continues to enhance his reputation with another stellar international break.

 

The young midfielder played a decisive role in both of Morocco’s World Cup qualifiers, scoring the winner in a 1-0 triumph over Niger before featuring in a 2-0 victory against Tanzania.

 

His performances were widely praised by Moroccan fans, with many labeling him “world-class.”

 

El Khannouss’ rising stock has reportedly caught the attention of Arsenal, with speculation growing about a potential move in the near future.

 

Wilfred Ndidi (Nigeria) – 4

 

It was a disappointing international break for Wilfred Ndidi, whose performances for Nigeria were heavily criticized.

 

In particular, he struggled in a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe, with some fans calling for him to be dropped from the national team entirely.

 

With Galatasaray reportedly interested in signing him for £15 million, Ndidi may use the rest of the season to showcase his abilities.

 

However, if he continues to struggle, finding suitors may become increasingly difficult.

 

Bobby De Cordova-Reid (Jamaica) – 6

 

Bobby De Cordova-Reid didn’t get on the scoresheet, but he played an essential role in helping Jamaica secure Gold Cup qualification.

 

The versatile attacker started both matches against Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, with Jamaica drawing the first leg 1-1 before winning comfortably in the return fixture.

 

Interestingly, De Cordova-Reid was deployed as a number 10 rather than in his usual wide role, and he did enough to contribute positively to his side’s success.

 

Other Notable Mentions

 

Youngster Louis Page made a strong impression while representing England’s U17s, further showcasing Leicester’s promising talent pipeline.

 

Meanwhile, Hamza Choudhury made history by becoming the first player of Bangladeshi heritage to represent the country at the senior international level.

 

He earned his debut in a goalless draw against India and later shared an emotional message on Instagram to mark the milestone