Leicester City Set To Offer Contract Extension To Star Midfielder: A Necessary Move?

Leicester City are poised to offer a contract extension to Wilfred Ndidi amidst transfer speculations regarding the player, according to the reports from Telegraph. The Nigerian midfielder has been linked with a move out of King Power Stadium with Arsenal and Liverpool vying for his services.

However, Ndidi has insisted that he’s happy to stay with his current club and has never thought about leaving. Speaking at an interview during the World Cup, the midfield reiterated: “A transfer has never been on my mind. I feel very good at Leicester.”

This has led Leicester City to prepare a contract extension for the former Genk starlet as they look to bind him to a long-term deal.

Ndidi, 21, has been a huge success in the Premier League after arriving from Genk at the start of last year. Since joining the Foxes, the Nigerian has become a midfield mainstay at the club and has emerged as one of the best midfielders in the league.

Initially brought in as the desired replacement for current Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, Ndidi made a huge impression last season, helping Leicester finish in a respectable ninth position in the final league table.

He made 33 appearances for the club in the said campaign, in which he accumulated the most number of tackles won, even eclipsing the mercurial Kante.

He also managed to replicate his form in the FIFA World Cup 2018. Even though Nigeria were one of the most disappointing teams in this edition of the World Cup, Ndidi’s 15 tackles were the most by any player in the group stages. In fact, he did quite well alongside Stoke City midfielder Oghankaro Etebo but ultimately lacked the spirit and support of his teammates.

Wilfred Ndidi’s contract extension could be a huge boost for Leicester City, who have performed reasonably well under the leadership of Claude Puel. The former Southampton manager has introduced a sense of unity within the camp and has also been able to utilise the qualities of Ndidi at the centre of the pitch.

Despite the departure of Riyad Mahrez this summer, Puel will certainly have an array of options at his disposal next season. But a lot will depend on the star players in the shape of Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi.

It remains to be seen if the Frenchman can guide the Foxes into achieving something magical once again as they gear up for the forthcoming season.