King Power Stadium
Wilfred Ndidi reveals how he became a midfielder
Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has credited former Genk manager Peter Maes for switching his playing position from centre-back to midfield. Last season, the Nigeria international was drafted into the heart of the Foxes’ defence on several occasions and he delivered some impressive performances. His initial knowledge as a centre-back has also helped him shine in the Premier League as one of the best defensive midfielders in the division. The 24-year-old, who moved to King Power Stadium in January 2017, disclosed that his role was changed at Genk after he played for Nigeria’s youth teams and his former side Nath Boys as a defender. “I started my career as a central defender during my days in Nath Boys. Even in the U-17, U-20, national team…I was a defender,” Ndidi told the Guardian ...
Juventus eye move for Liverpool target Youri Tielemans
Juventus have joined the race to sign Leicester City winger Youri Tielemans in the summer transfer window. Tielemans is a key player for Brendan Rodgers’ side, but the Belgian international has been linked with a move away from the club. Liverpool are one of the clubs looking to sign the 24-year-old, but Leicester are unlikely to sanction a sale unless they receive a ridiculous offer. The Reds are looking to bolster their midfield options this summer, and Tielemans would be a superb addition to the side. However, fresh reports from Italy suggest that Juventus are also looking to lure him away. The Old Lady have been following the Belgian for a long time, and they now want the FA Cup winner. Juventus have already made contact with the player’s representatives. Tielemans has been simply outs...
Newcastle boost survival hopes after hitting four past Leicester
Newcastle gave their Premier League survival hopes a huge boost after hammering Leicester 4-2 at the King Power Stadium. Newcastle deservedly opened the scoring when Joe Willock pound on an error from Caglar Söyüncü before finishing smartly past Kasper Schmeichel. That goal made him the first Magpies player to score in four consecutive Premier League matches since Papiss Cissé in April 2012. Paul Dummett rose highest to double their lead with a powerful header, before Callum Wilson made it three after finishing a clinical counter attack. Wilson added his second – and Newcastle’s fourth – having been played through brilliantly by Miguel Almirón, slotting home when his initial effort hit the post. Marc Albrighton rifled one into the top corner late on, with Kelechi Iheanacho continuing his h...
Wilfred Ndidi: Kelechi Iheanacho can’t stop scoring after latest heroics vs West Brom
Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi said he is “very proud” of his compatriot Kelechi Iheanacho’s scoring feat after he grabbed a goal in their 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. Iheanacho’s 36th-minute strike wrapped up the Foxes’ victory at the King Power Stadium following Johnny Evans and Jamie Vardy’s goals. The effort made it 16 goals for the Super Eagles striker across all competitions this season, including nine Premier League goals – a new personal record. In his reaction, Ndidi – who played from start to finish alongside Iheanacho on Thursday night – said the 24-year-old is full of confidence and belief in himself at the moment. “He just can’t stop scoring at the moment, so I’m very happy for him,” Ndidi told LCFC TV. “Very proud. I just want him to keep doing the things and k...
Arsenal provide update on Smith Rowe ahead of Burnley clash
Arsenal have this evening revealed a late update on the fitness of Emile Smith Rowe, ahead of their showdown with Burnley. Mikel Arteta’s men are set to return to action tomorrow afternoon, in a Premier League meeting with the Clarets. The Gunners will of course head into the Turf Moor clash with their tails up, on the back of a morale boosting pair of wins over the last couple of weeks. First, a last-gasp Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang header saw Arsenal get the better of Benfica, to book their spot in the Last-16 of the Europa League. And this was followed last weekend by a hugely impressive 3-1 downing of Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. The news, as a whole, proved of a positive nature, with only two players – including 3rd-choice goalkeeper Alex Runarsson – struggling as things st...
Super Eagles boss wants Ahmed Musa to sort out his career before Afcon qualifiers
Nigeria national team coach Gernot Rohr hopes to see his captain Ahmed Musa back to action ahead of their 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March. The three-time African champions will take on the Republic of Benin and Lesotho in their last Afcon qualifying games next month. Musa has been without a club since October when he left Saudi Arabian side Al Nass by mutual agreement. The forward starred for Russian Premier League club CSKA Moscow before moving to England to team up with Leicester City. The Super Eagles winger struggled to establish himself at the King Power Stadium and in an effort to enjoy more playing time, he left for Saudi in 2018. The forward is now looking to returning to Europe and has been heavily linked to Premier League club West Bromwich Albion. Rohr is hopeful ...
Brendan Rodgers happy with Kelechi Iheanacho, others despite losing to Arsenal
Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers says he’s impressed with the effort of Kelechi Iheanacho and other players who featured against Arsenal on Wednesday. Rodgers handed Iheanacho and other fringe players the opportunity to impress in Wednesday’s league cup clash against the Gunners at King Power Stadium, but the visitors proved to be too much for them. Leicester dominated the game in the first half, and Iheanacho had the best chance to put the Foxes ahead, but his effort was saved by Bernd Leno. Leicester City’s confidence was dealt a big blow in the second half when Christian Fuchs scored an own goal to put the visitors ahead. Leicester City continued to search for an equalizer, but it was Eddie Nketiah who scored the second for the Gunners. Rodgers said he’s proud of Iheanacho and other ...
Premier League set to reject requests to postpone games due to Covid outbreaks
Premier League officials are set to reject requests to postpone games in the event of Covid outbreaks amongst top-flight sides, with clubs required to fulfil fixtures unless they have fewer than 14 players available. The 2020/21 season is set to begin this weekend with the division’s authorities determined to finish the rescheduled and congested campaign on time ahead of next summer’s European Championships, with clubs having been informed that fixtures will need to be fulfilled even in the event of significant coronavirus outbreaks amongst top-flight squads. According to the Mail, Premier League clubs will be required to fulfil fixtures unless they have less than 14 players available for selection, including U21 players, who they will be obliged to play in the event of such circumstances....
Manchester United halt summer transfer plans until season objective is reached
According to the MEN, Manchester United have shelved their summer transfer plans until the club’s Champions League fate is clear. Currently in the third spot, the Red Devils face off against fellow top-four hopefuls Leicester City who are just one point behind them. The Red Devils need to avoid a loss on the final day of the season to ensure a top-four finish. A return to Europe’s top competition will be a just reward for United’s brilliant form since the start of the year. The club has lost just once in the league since as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side went from strength to strength. It now appears where we end up will dictate the club’s summer activity. According to the report, United have made no more enquiries about their targets since discovering the transfer window was set to open on J...
Wilfred Ndidi: Why Leicester City move was very scary for me
Wilfred Ndidi claimed he saw his move to Premier League side Leicester City as an opportunity rather than getting carried away with pressure. After three seasons at Belgian top-flight side Genk, the Nigeria international joined the Foxes in a transfer deal worth £17 million. At that time, the King Power Stadium giants were reigning English champions, plus they needed a replacement for N’Golo Kante who had joined Chelsea on a five-year deal. The Frenchman played a starring role in Leicester’s English top-flight-winning campaign where he made 40 appearances while helping France reach the final of Euro 2016. Despite adapting to life quickly at the Luminus Arena after his move from Nigeria’s Nath Boys Academy, Ndidi said he saw an opportunity to ‘develop’, thus, embraced the burden of expectat...
Another Premier League player tests positive for novel coronavirus
A third first-team player from Brighton & Hove Albion tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, the Premier League club’s chief executive Paul Barber has confirmed. Two Brighton players had contracted the novel coronavirus in March and April and the latest positive result could cast doubts on the Premier League’s plans to resume the season that has been suspended due to the pandemic. Clubs are due to meet on Monday to further discuss “Project Restart” which envisages a return to play in June once given the green light from government, with the remaining 92 matches held behind closed doors at neutral venues. “It is a concern. Unfortunately we’ve had a third player test positive yesterday,” Barber told Sky Sports on Sunday. “So despite all of the measures that we’ve been taking over the ...
Will Premier League with no fans be worth the wait?
The Premier League is adamant that it can overcome huge logistical challenges to get players back on the pitch during the coronavirus crisis but has long since accepted there will be no fans in the stadiums. English Football Association chairman Greg Clarke became the latest senior figure to admit this week that social-distancing guidelines make it impossible for supporters to congregate in stadiums “any time soon”. The drive behind the Premier League’s “Project Restart” is the attempt to avoid having to pay back millions in TV revenue. Clubs could reportedly miss out on £762 million ($946 million) for failing to complete this season alone. According to UEFA’s latest European Club Footballing Landscape report, just 13 percent of the Premier League’s revenue comes from gate receipts. Englan...
