Wilfred Ndidi: 2 qualities that make Super Eagles captain valuable to Beşiktaş

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has handed Beşiktaş fresh reasons to rely on him after an encouraging run of performances.

The former Leicester City midfielder scored in Beşiktaş’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in the UEFA Europa League last Thursday before earning his second Super Lig start in their 2-0 victory over İstanbul Başakşehir four days later.

The performances arrive at an important point in Ndidi’s season. The midfielder had struggled for consistent minutes under Italiano, raising questions about his place in the team following the Italian coach’s arrival.

His latest displays offer another perspective, especially after he played as an attacking midfielder against Başakşehir.

2 qualities that make Wilfred Ndidi valuable to Beşiktaş

1. Ndidi’s ability to read danger

One of Ndidi’s greatest strengths is his ability to recognise danger and disrupt opposition attacks before they develop.

According to Turkish outlet Ajans Beşiktaş, the 29-year-old recorded five interceptions and four clearances across his last two matches. Those figures highlight his contribution to protecting the defence and breaking up opposition moves.

Rather than relying solely on physical challenges, Ndidi’s reading of the game allows him to anticipate passes and position himself to regain possession.

That ability is useful for a team balancing domestic commitments with European football. Beşiktaş need midfielders capable of limiting the space available to opponents, especially when the defensive line is exposed during transitions as they field a 4-1-4-1 formation with Ndidi sharing the burden of breaking up play and recycling possession.

His performance against Crystal Palace also demonstrated his ability to contribute beyond defensive duties. Ndidi controlled a pass from Salih Özcan before scoring Beşiktaş’ opening goal in the 2-2 draw.

The goal was a reminder that the Nigerian can contribute in the final third when given the opportunity, even though his primary responsibility remains protecting the midfield.

2. His strength in aerial duels

Ndidi’s second valuable quality is his effectiveness in the air. Ajans Beşiktaş reported that he won 10 of his 12 aerial duels across the two matches, an impressive return that highlights his ability to compete physically against opponents.

Winning aerial contests helps a defensive midfielder deal with long passes, second balls and opposition attempts to bypass the midfield. It can also help his team regain possession and launch attacks more quickly, and help them put the ball into the back of the net from set pieces.

For Beşiktaş, that physical presence provides another way to disrupt opponents and relieve pressure on the defence.

Ndidi’s aerial ability complements his anticipation. While his interceptions can stop attacks before they develop, winning duels gives him another means of regaining control when opponents attempt to play more directly.

What this means for Ndidi at Beşiktaş

Ndidi’s recent performances do not guarantee a starting place in Italiano’s XI, but they strengthen the case for giving him more responsibility.

His defensive awareness and aerial strength offer Italiano two qualities that can be valuable against different types of opposition, even better than Salih Ozcan when his legs are in the game.

The challenge now is to reproduce that level consistently as Beşiktaş navigate a demanding schedule.