Ndidi: We’re Building Confidence
- There is more to learn for Leicester City in 2020/21, says midfielder Wilfred Ndidi
- The Nigeria international spoke of his side’s confidence after a Premier League win over Chelsea
- City won 2-0 at King Power Stadium on Tuesday night thanks to Ndidi’s wonderful opener and James Maddison’s composed second
- The Foxes moved top of the Premier League standings after 19 matches
The Nigeria international’s brilliantly-struck half-volley saw City take an early lead at King Power Stadium, as he fired in off the post to score his first goal of the 2020/21 season.
Before the interval, a neat finish from James Maddison doubled his side’s advantage having earlier hit the crossbar, while chances for Jamie Vardy, Youri Tielemans and James Justin could have added gloss to the scoreline.
After a commanding performance against the Blues, Ndidi told LCFC TV: “I’m very happy. In these games, we wanted to try as much as possible to get these points. I feel very good. I would say there are still more games to come.
“As a team, we want the points. We want to play and get the points. So, I just feel it’s one of these games that we really did good, but there’s still more to learn and hopefully better games coming our way.
“It’s very exciting and we feel very happy because it’s part of the season, and there’s more games to come.
“At this time, we just build confidence for the next game, we don’t think about the end of the season.
“We know what we want to achieve, but it comes game after game. We try to focus on the next game.”
Ndidi’s first goal since September 2019 came in fine fashion, and the City No.25 felt it came at the perfect moment after an early spell of pressure from the visiting side.
“If I count, [I’ve scored] maybe four or so, with my left foot!” Ndidi said when questioned about his effectiveness in front of goal.
“It comes once in a while, but I just keep trying, you know! It was really good. It lifted the team.
“It’s something that when you get a goal at that time, you have the confidence to actually go for more.
“So, it was really good, and we stayed compact. As much as we wanted more, we still stayed compact."
Ndidi missed a substantial part of the season between September and December with an adductor issue, but he has since settled back into the starting XI and has delivered some fearsome performances in the heart of midfield.
“It’s something that the manager just made me understand,” he said of his role in the team. “The gaffer, he just made me understand my role in the team and what he expects me to do – just keep things simple.
“We have quality players in the team and we can move the ball around, so for me it’s just one of these things to just keep the ball simple and let the game keep going.”
One man who Ndidi shared his recovery from injury with was Portugal right-back Ricardo Pereira, who on Tuesday came off the bench to make his first appearance since picking up a groin issue in early December.
Ndidi added: “I’m very happy for Ricky. We were both in rehab together and he was working really hard to come back. I feel very happy for him because he’s vital for the team. I’m glad he’s back.”