Wilfred Ndidi has once again proven his value as one of the Premier League’s top defensive midfielders.
Despite Leicester City's struggles in their return to the English top flight, the Nigerian international has been in top form, delivering remarkable numbers that underline his importance to Ruud van Nistelrooy's side.
In the ongoing campaign, Ndidi ranks fourth among all Premier League midfielders for defensive actions, with an impressive total of 181. This places him behind only Moises Caicedo, Ryan Gravenberch, and Bruno Guimarães, showcasing his ability to compete with some of the league’s best. Remarkably, his defensive contributions surpass those of renowned players like Alexis Mac Allister, Casemiro, and Youri Tielemans.
Leicester's reliance on Ndidi has been exposed during his injury absence. Since being sidelined in early December, the Foxes have failed to maintain defensive solidity, conceding at least two goals in every game and managing only one win—a narrow victory over Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup.
The team’s lack of another midfielder among the Premier League’s top 16 for defensive actions further highlights their dependence on Ndidi’s unique skill set.
A proven defensive powerhouse
Since joining Leicester City from Genk in January 2017, Ndidi has built a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most reliable defensive midfielders. In his first half-season with the Foxes, he averaged 4.02 tackles per 90 minutes, ranking second only to Idrissa Gueye in the league.
He went on to dominate the tackles leaderboard for three straight seasons (2017-2020), recording 138, 142, and 129 tackles, respectively.
Even with Leicester’s relegation to the Championship in 2023, Ndidi’s influence remains unmatched. Since his Premier League debut, he has registered 704 tackles—152 more than Declan Rice, his closest rival. Additionally, Ndidi has recorded the most interceptions (393) and middle-third possession recoveries (838) in the league during that period.
Leicester’s current position, 19th in the Premier League table and two points from safety—underscores the urgent need for Ndidi’s return. The 28-year-old is expected to rejoin the squad within the next two weeks, offering Van Nistelrooy a much-needed boost in their fight for survival.
With four assists in 15 appearances this season, Ndidi has also shown an evolution in his game, adding attacking contributions to his already elite defensive repertoire. As Leicester battle relegation, the Super Eagles star will once again be pivotal to their survival hopes.
