Super Eagles first choice defensive midfielder Wilfred Ndidi gave a prudent performance as a centre defender for Leicester City this weekend in a friendly match against Blackburn Rovers.
The 23 year old tough tackler was on from the very start of the match where he was partnered with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall at the heart of his team's defence.
The match ended 1:1 with the goals coming from Daniel Amartey for Leicester in 67 minutes with Derrick Williams equalising for Blackburn Rovers in 85 minutes.
This will not be the first time that Ndidi will be playing as an out-and-out defender for club or county as Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr once deployed him as a left fullback in a 2018 World Cup qualifying match.
In this pre-season encounter, leicestermercury.com gave glowing tribute to Ndidi's performance as a centre-back paying compliment to his defensive credentials whilst raising concerns about his passing accuracy.
The website writes :
'Wilfred Ndidi: Playing the centre-back he operated in as a kid breaking through at Genk, Ndidi made the defensive aspects look easy, shrugging off opponents and beating them in foot races. But he was embarrassed once as Rankin-Costello’s nifty footwork put him on the deck, while his passes out were a little aimless.'
It is unlikely that Ndidi will play as a centre defender for Leicester moving forward as he is their first choice defensive midfielder.
He featured in 32 of of 38 games in the English Premer League last season, missing games largely due to injury.
Ndidi is expected to continue being a starter for Leicester well into next season.
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