Leicester City thumped Southampton 5-0 on Tuesday evening to move four points clear at the summit of the Championship table.
After a rocky few weeks, Enzo Maresca‘s side returned to their very best against the visiting Saints, who barely had a sniff all game.
City nullified their threat and put them under the cosh from the first whistle, with Abdul Fatawu netting the opener.
The Ghanian netted a sublime second and tapped in his hat-trick shortly after, taking home most of the plaudits and rightly so.
But one player’s magnificent performance certainly went under the radar.
Wilfred Ndidi’s incredible statistics vs Southampton
Wilfred Ndidi started the game a little slow and had a few sloppy touches, but he grew into it and won virtually every ball in the middle of the park.
Ndidi has enjoyed a phenomenal season in a more advanced role under Maresca and his late runs into the box paid dividends, as he headed home the crucial second goal to put his side in cruise control. Here are his incredible statistics, as per Sofascore.
- 82 minutes
- 44 touches
- 1 goal
- 86% accurate passes
- 2 key pass
- 6/11 duels won
- 2 clearances
- 1 tackle
The Nigeria international netted his sixth goal of the campaign last night, which now equals his best-ever tally.
Ndidi’s impressive statistics evince how vital he is to Maresca’s system, as he is the main ball winner in the side.
Further, with him playing in a higher role, it allows City to win possession in dangerous areas, which occurred on numerous occasions last night.
The 27-year-old was the unsung hero at King Power Stadium.
Leicester City need to extend Wilfred Ndidi’s contract
Ndidi is out of contract in the summer and Crystal Palace are eyeing him on a free transfer.
At the moment, Leicester can’t actually extend his deal due to the current EFL player registration embargo, however, surely chiefs can agree a deal in principle.
If that can be worked on behind the scenes, then the club should be able to rubber stamp it if they gain promotion, which would lift the embargo.
Before Maresca came in, there were question marks as to whether Ndidi was up to standard, following a below-par campaign, but he’s certainly answered those doubters emphatically and is well worth a new contract.