Super Eagles and Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi finally opens up about the constant comparison of him and former Foxes defensive midfielder N’golo Kante saying talks about him try to be like him always used to “irritate him”. Ndidi joined Leicester City a season after N’golo left to join Chelsea. 
N’golo Kante was a very popular favourite at Leicester City due to his tremendous exploits to help the side win the EPL for the first time in nearly 150-years.
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The Nigerian midfielder struggled at first to establish himself in the EPL with a lot of comparison between him and Kante always being made. But over the last 3 season, Ndidi has gone on to cement his place as the best defensive midfielder in the EPL besting even N’golo Kante himself.
Both players are renowned for their ball-winning skills and work rates but Ndidi says he finds such comparisons irrelevant.
“Yes it [comparison] used to irritate me but it’s football and I completely understand the fans because they love to find something to talk about,” Ndidi told BBC Sport Africa.
“Even before and then when I arrived at Leicester I heard it. I only wanted to be Wilfred Ndidi and not someone else.
“I focus on myself, I am always critical of myself, I do my best to improve as a footballer game by game and give my best for my club.
“The comparison with others, about who is better or if Kante and I play alike, is irrelevant to me. I think all that comparison was for those who love to talk and I didn’t focus on it.
“You’re comfortable when you are yourself and not listening or trying to be something you are not.”
Ndidi’s has helped Leicester City rise to third in the Premier League table and they are also through to the FA Cup final where they will face Chelsea on May 15. Ndidi, 24, has three assists and a goal to his name in the Premier League.
He now says he is focused on the team’s success and not ‘personal glory’.“I just love to give my best and when the media talk about it, that’s good for the team,” he continued.
“I am not someone chasing personal glory or getting distracted because of the praises or criticism, you’ll get both in football anyway.
“My job is helping the team. Doing everything I can to get three points and victory for the club, which is very important.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to play in the Premier League and the chance to enjoy my game at a club like Leicester, where no player is more important than the team.
“I make a contribution like everyone else in the squad and if that helps us to achieve our collective effort, then I am happy to play my part.”
Photo Credit: Getty
