Leicester City boss reveals exactly why Ndidi was left on the bench in defeat to Arsenal
Published: October 30, 2021Leicester City have the fourth-worst defensive record in the English Premier League after ten matches with seventeen goals conceded.
Only Newcastle United (23), Burnley (23) and Watford (18) have shipped in more goals than the King Power Stadium outfit.
Manager Brendan Rodgers believes that the reliable holding midfielder Wilfred Ndidi can make the Foxes defence stronger when he returns to the starting lineup.
After five weeks on the sidelines, the Nigeria international was named in the matchday squad against Arsenal on Saturday afternoon and most Leicester City fans expected that he would be given minutes off the bench.
But with the Foxes in search of goals, Rodgers introduced three attack-minded players as substitutes in the second half, namely Ademola Lookman, Harvey Barnes and Patson Daka, and a planned substitution to bring on Ndidi for at least fifteen minutes was cancelled.
Asked at the post-match press conference if the potential return of Ndidi to the starting XI can make the Leicester defence stronger, Rodgers told reporters : "Hopefully, he's just trained this week. He was one that if we were needing him for fifteen to twenty minutes maximum, that was our plan for today.
"But obviously we are chasing the game so there wasn't that need to put him on.
"It's great to have him back and available and we'll see how his fitness looks over the coming days."
"But obviously we are chasing the game so there wasn't that need to put him on.
"It's great to have him back and available and we'll see how his fitness looks over the coming days."
Leicester City's next game comes up against Spartak Moscow in the Europa League and Ndidi is available for the clash after serving a one-game ban for the red card he received against Napoli on matchday one.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : lcfc.com
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
Latest News
- West Ham, Crystal Palace ready to challenge Serie A giants Juventus for Leicester ace Ndidi
- 2024 Super Eagles invitee attracting interest from Tottenham, Fulham and Aston Villa
- 'Simply phenomenal' - Nigeria legend Sunday Oliseh names the best coach in the world
- Manu Garba impressed with Golden Eaglets midfield pre-U17 WAFU B, identifies three positions to fortify
- Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo provides injury update on Awoniyi pre-Everton
- Gift Orban replacement: Gent on brink of deal for tall Danish-Nigerian striker dubbed 'The New Onuachu'
- Spain youth team call-up for former Liverpool winger Elijah Gift; also eligible for Nigeria and Cuba
- Confirmed team news: Super Eagles defender Collins might miss Cardiff City v Southampton
- Photo: Trabzonspor striker Onuachu trains with special bandage ahead of potential return to action
- Transfer guru rules out possibility of 2021 Super Eagles invitee making a return to Chelsea this summer
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football