Ndidi Encouraged By Leicester Love

On Sunday, just 24 hours after the Foxes defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers to earn their first victory of the 2018/19 season, the Nigeria international pledged his long-term future to the Club by penning a contract until 2024.

The Premier League’s tackle master says every player needs a positive environment to develop in and at Belvoir Drive, he believes he can thrive.

“Honestly, I’m happy because having fans like Leicester fans means a lot to players like me,” Ndidi told LCFC TV. “I’m very, very happy about it.

“It gives me a lot of joy, because it’s not just me. Supporting the team makes me happy. With them pushing the team, everything goes well and everyone is happy.

“I’m so happy and comfortable with everyone – the coaches, the players, the staff and the people working here. I’m very happy because everyone is friendly.

“As well as playing football, you can also learn a lifestyle outside football. I’m happy I’m growing here and I’m really looking forward [to the future].

“I feel welcome here because everyone is friendly. I’m in a place where people love me, encourage me and try to push me. I am so happy I’ve done this.”

Ndidi’s was one of City’s stand out performers last term, completing a stunning 138 tackles in England’s top flight during his first full season as a Fox.

“For me, I will say it’s not just me,” said Ndidi of the impressive statistic. “It’s the players. A man cannot make a team, I think the team makes a player. I think because of my team-mates, everyone is pushing and everyone is encouraging each other.

“I would say I leave that aside, I wish we can win more games than just the stats or the tackles. I don’t look towards that area, I look towards the team winning.

“It’s gone now and we look forward to a new season. It’s started already and we’ll try to get as many points as we can. That is the most important thing.”

The 21-year-old central midfielder has featured in both the UEFA Europa League while at Belgian outfit KRC Genk and made his UEFA Champions League debut for the Foxes against Sevilla in the last-16.

For Ndidi, the ultimate aim is to help City mount another European challenge in the near future. 

“I would say I always take things as they came and take it one step at a time,” said the modest No.25. “I don’t like thinking about what will happen in the future. I would say it starts from now and I just want us to start winning games and progressing – to get as many points as we can in every season.

Expand photo

“That is the most important thing. Getting many points will lead us to the top. That’s just my aim, every season we try to push and get so many points and qualify for the Champions League or Europa League.”

Ndidi’s experiences at the 2018 FIFA World Cup with Nigeria were ones that will help shape him as a person, as his development at the peak of both club and international football continues at a rapid rate.

He said of the tournament in Russia: “The World Cup was an amazing experience and you see different kinds of players. You see players you see on TV and players from [teams like] Real Madrid.

“I would say I learned some things from these players. I’m playing against them and you know what they do, they think very fast.

“There is nothing like growing, so learning from all those things will make me grow. I’ll just keep pushing and give everything and look forward to the games.”

Ndidi’s determination and passion has made him a fans’ favourite at the Club and the Blue Army’s support hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“I would say that the fans are amazing,” he added. “They should keep doing their thing, keep supporting the team and keep pushing.

“Sometimes, when the game isn’t going well, the sound and the noise in the stadium from the fans keeps the players going and pushes them. They should keep doing that and we will see what comes out of it.”