Wilfred Ndidi shines in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City debut against West Ham
Leicester City fans and football enthusiasts have raised concerns over the omission of Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi from the club’s Man of the Match (MOTM) nominees despite his outstanding performance in the Foxes’ 3-1 victory over West Ham United.
The match, played on Tuesday night at the King Power Stadium, was Leicester City’s first under new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy. It ended in an impressive victory, setting a positive tone for the former Manchester United legend’s tenure.
Ndidi, who played the full 90 minutes, was key to Leicester’s success. Though he didn’t score or assist, his defensive contributions were remarkable.
- Pass accuracy: 86%
- Touches: 64
- Dribble success: 100%
- Tackles won: 6 (most in the game)
- Duels won: 14
- Interceptions: 3
- Clearances: 7
Ndidi’s ability to break up West Ham’s play and shield Leicester’s defence stood out. His efforts helped the Foxes maintain their shape and launch counter-attacks.
Despite his stellar display, Ndidi was left out of Leicester’s MOTM nominees. Instead, the club recognised Bilal El Khannouss, who scored and assisted, along with Kasey McAteer and Mads Hermansen.
This decision sparked frustration among fans. Social media was flooded with comments praising Ndidi and questioning his exclusion:
- “Ndidi and it’s not even close! He was colossal tonight!”
- “How is he not on this list? Admin didn’t watch the game.”
- “Ndidi was flying everywhere defending. Looked like his old self tonight!”
Many supporters emphasised that Ndidi’s consistent effort throughout the match made him deserving of the award, even without direct goal contributions.
Leicester started strongly, with Jamie Vardy scoring just two minutes in. El Khannouss added to the tally early in the second half, cementing the Foxes’ dominance.
West Ham managed to pull one back, but Leicester’s overall control, aided by Ndidi’s defensive masterclass, ensured they secured all three points.
Ndidi’s performance was a reminder of his quality, particularly after recent seasons affected by injuries. Fans are hopeful that under Van Nistelrooy, the Nigerian midfielder will regain his best form and continue to be a key figure for Leicester City.
While the MOTM snub has raised questions, Ndidi’s display won’t be forgotten by those who witnessed his commanding performance in midfield.
