New Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers believes Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi could play a similar role to that of Steven Gerrard when the Nothern Irishman was in charge of Liverpool.
Gerrard was a key figure for the Reds during Rodgers’ three seasons in charge at Anfield, and the current Foxes boss hopes Ndidi can grow into a similar role.
“I’ve always had one in my teams – that sort of central pivot that orchestrates the game,” said Rodgers after their 2-0 win over Bournemouth last weekend.
“I had Steven (Gerrard) do it for me at Liverpool and Leon Britton did it for me at Swansea, different types.
“I like to have a player in there but the three midfielders all have to be different for me.
“But you certainly need one who has the appetite to win the ball. They all have to press and be aggressive but how he [Ndidi] wins the ball is incredible.
“He covers the ground, his anticipation of where the ball is going and how he reads it and the number of counter attacks he stopped today…a lot of what Bournemouth have done these last few years because you know the strengths of their team.
“We didn’t concede many counters and that was down to his tactical discipline with the two centre halves and with the full backs behind.
“So he’s a fantastic player and he’s only going to get better.”
