After Leicester City’s promotion back to the Premier League, Wilfred Ndidi is getting ready for life in England’s top tier of soccer. The Nigerian was exceptional in Leicester’s title-winning 2023-24 season.
City is back in the Premier League after just one year away. The Foxes were too good for the EFL Championship, racking up 97 points and pipping Ipswich Town to first place by a solitary point. Leicester won a staggering 31 of 46 league games, drawing four and losing 11 of the other 15. The team scored 89 and conceded 41 along the way.
An Unsung Hero
Leicester had many standout players throughout the season. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was outstanding, while Jamie Vardy had an excellent second half of the campaign. However, Ndidi was one of the Foxes’ best players, quietly going about his business in the middle of the park.
The Nigeria international played 36 times across all competitions in the 2023-24 season. He was a rock in the engine room, alongside the equally impressive Harry Winks. Ndidi even had an eye for goal, netting in wins against Southampton (twice), Plymouth Argyle, and West Bromwich Albion. He was also on target in cup victories against Burton Albion and Tranmere Rovers.
Ndidi’s calm and combative presence in midfield allowed Leicester’s flare players, like Dewsbury-Hall and Stephy Mavididi, to express themselves going forward. The Nigerian was just as vital to the team and played a big role in City’s promotion to the top flight.
Can the Foxes Avoid the Drop?
Focus has turned to the 2024-25 season, which kicks off in August. Casinos with sportsbooks already have odds available for the new campaign, with BetVictor offering odds of -300 for the Foxes to finish in the bottom three as seen at Casino Alpha New Zealand, which tracks down promotions and bonuses to use at casinos and sportsbooks.
With the possibility of a points deduction and the manager moving on, a dark cloud looms over the King Power. The sportsbooks already have Leicester down for relegation, but the players will be out to prove the doubters wrong.
Nigerian Vital to Club and Country
Before turning his attention to next season’s Premier League, Ndidi is likely to be involved for Nigeria in their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The Super Eagles have work to do after drawing the opening two games.
Nigeria returns to action in June with a huge matchup against South Africa in Uyo. A few days later, the Nigerians make the trip to the Ivory Coast to face Benin on matchday four. Ndidi and his international teammates will be targeting six points out of six.
The 27-year-old, who was born in Lagos, is a vital cog in the machine for both the Super Eagles and the Foxes. However, after such a demanding season, Ndidi deserves a well-earned rest before Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying campaign gets back underway next month.
