Ndidi set to follow his ‘idol’ Mikel footsteps following Chelsea links?

There is a chance Wilfred Ndidi would follow the foot steps of his idol John Obi Mikel by moving to Chelssa, a club he supported growing up in Nigeria.

Chelsea have become just the second big club to be linked to the 23-year-old midfielder in just four days, Real Madrid were the first.

According to reports in Spain, Chelsea are now set to rival Real Madrid for the signature of the former Genk midfielder.

Although Leicester City boss is not willing to sell but the Nigerian midfielder who sited John Obi Mikel and John Terry as his biggest influence would jump at the chance of playing for boyhood club.

Valued at £40m Chelsea are said to be eyeing the combative midfielder as a replacement for Jorginho should the Italian links up with Maurizio Sarri at Juventus.

‘I have always looked up to Mikel,” Ndidi told Goal in 2017. “When he was at Chelsea, I was at Nath Boys [as a youth player] and I have always liked him as a player. I have always been crazy about Mikel. The way he plays is amazing.

“When me and my friends talk about players, we always want to talk about Mikel. He is so important for Nigerian football. I actually liked two players from outside of Nigeria [when I was younger]. Kaka and John Terry.

“Because I was a central defender, I was watching John Terry. The way he was leading Chelsea and putting his heart into it made me like him. I liked Chelsea, with Mikel and Terry.

“They were my favourite players, but I never dreamed of the Premier League. I just wanted to play football. Enjoy the game. For Kaka, I didn’t watch much of him at AC Milan, but when he won the Balon d’Or and I started to look at him.

“I followed him up and watched him more when he went to Madrid. I liked his style of play and I liked his lifestyle outside of football. Very professional.”