Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to take charge of his third game as Leicester City manager this weekend.
The Foxes will travel to Newcastle United for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, aiming to continue their unbeaten start under the Dutchman.
Ruud van Nistelrooy oversaw a 3-1 win against West Ham on December 3rd before orchestrating a comeback from 2-0 down to rescue a point against Brighton and Hove Albion last time out.
It’s been a positive start for the ex-Manchester United man at the King Power Stadium but there’s a long way to go and a lot to do if Leicester City are to avoid the drop.
Newcastle may not been in the best form this season, but a trip to St James Park is always tough for any team, especially one who leak goals and are only five points above the relegation zone.
And with meetings against Liverpool and Manchester City coming up this month, the Foxes will need to start playing constantly well in the coming weeks, and Ruud knows just which players can help them do so.
Ruud van Nistelrooy to build Leicester City around Jannik Vestergaard and Wilfred Ndidi
Jamie Vardy has been one of Leicester’s best players for many years now and is their top scorer in 2024/25.
Van Nistelrooy has praised Vardy already since arriving in the Midlands but is not planning to build his time around the veteran striker.
Instead, Leicester City News have learned that the 48-year-old wants to focus his Leicester side around Jannik Vestergaard and Wilfred Ndidi.
The Foxes have the third-worst defensive record in the top flight this campaign, so building around an experienced centre-back does make a lot of sense.
Vestergaard was an outcast under Steve Cooper but has already started both of Leicester’s league games under Van Nistelrooy.
Focusing on Ndidi is also a wise choice as he is their best defensive midfielder and, right now, the club’s biggest issue is the number of goals they are conceding.
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Ruud van Nistelrooy provides Wilfred Ndidi injury update before Newcastle vs Leicester City
Ndidi has been excellent during his limited appearances under his new manager this month.
However, it looks as though Leicester will have to make do without the Nigerian for their meeting with the Magpies.
Van Nistelrooy provided an injury update on Ndidi in his pre-Newcastle press conference, confirming he will be out for a ‘couple of weeks’.
Boubakary Soumare is suspended versus Newcastle as well, meaning Oliver Skipp will likely be given a start alongside Hamza Choudhury.