Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has voiced his anguish following Leicester’s relegation, admitting that his more advanced midfield role left him feeling he let the team down defensively.
The Foxes were condemned to an immediate return to the Championship after their relegation from the Premier League was confirmed with a 1-0 defeat to current champions Liverpool in Matchweek 33.
During Leicester’s Championship-winning campaign, Ndidi thrived under Enzo Maresca in a more advanced, hybrid midfield role—often pushing forward to contribute in attack.
The tactical shift paid early dividends in the Premier League, with the 28-year-old topping the assist charts after registering four in the opening six matches.
However, following Maresca’s departure to Chelsea after securing promotion, Ndidi has admitted he could have done more to support the team defensively during a difficult top-flight return.
Wilfred Ndidi takes blame for Leicester’s Premier League relegation
In a recent interview with TalkSport, Ndidi expressed deep regret over the team’s relegation from the Premier League, admitting he could have done more to help defensively despite playing in a more advanced role this season.
“I feel terrible,” he said, reflecting on the Foxes’ drop back to the Championship. “I feel really bad. I feel we should have done more. There’s no pointing fingers but I feel we should have done more.”
“This is just me personally, I feel I should have done more when it comes to trying to help the team in defending. I know I’m really good at defending but sometimes I get carried away with trying to get the goal or get an assist for the team, which is also important, but I feel I should have done more when trying to come back to defend.”
Ndidi, who is widely expected to leave the King Power Stadium at the end of the season amid interest from several Premier League clubs and Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, has still managed to record 77 tackles this campaign—ranking 15th in the division—despite missing nearly two months through injury.
