No one in the Premier League averages more interceptions per game than Wilfred Ndidi (2.6, WhoScored).
Only three players – Christian Norgaard, Yves Bissouma and Rayan Ait-Nouri – muster more successful tackles (3.3).
What those statistics should tell you is that, even when Ndidi isn’t at his ball-winning, bone-crunching pomp, he is still one of the very best around. One of the most effective, influential defensive midfielders in Europe, let alone England.
In recent months, the Nigeria international has looked a pale imitation of the midfield colossus who stomped around the King Power pitch during Brendan Rodgers’ first two seasons at the helm, breaking up attacks with an effortless flick of his telescopic legs.
But if Ndidi ranks right at the top of the Premier League for interceptions – and fourth for tackles – when he is out of form, then imagine what he’s capable of when he’s on it.
“He’s one of the top players in world football (when it comes to) recovering of the ball,” Rodgers said last year, via ScoreNigeria.
“His reading of the game is so good and his football is improving all the time. We have many good players in his position, but he’s unique. He’s irreplaceable.
“For such a young player, he’s been fantastic.”
Could Aston Villa lure Wilfred Ndidi away from Leicester City?
At Leicester, however, no one is truly ‘irreplaceable’.
Out went Ben Chilwell, in came James Justin. Out went Danny Drinkwater, in came Youri Tielemans. Goodbye went Harry Maguire, in came Wesley Fofana.
Ndidi himself arrived from Genk in January 2017, filling an N’Golo Kante-shaped hole in Claudio Ranieri’s engine room.
The Star claim that Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has been given £50 million to spend on a new defensive midfielder with Ndidi joining the barnstorming Bissouma on his summer wishlist.
It’s no secret that Villa want a new number six.
Someone who can not only snap into tackles but also break the lines with piercing, probing through balls. Someone with the energy and tenacity of Marvelous Nakamba but with added technical ability.
Ndidi, as far as Gerrard is concerned, ticks a lot of boxes.
But while Leicester have a history when it comes to selling key players and bouncing back, Ndidi is one Brendan Rodgers would be loathe to lose.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
