Nigerian midfield maestro and the man who saved his career

Wilfred Ndidi has capped off Leicester City's promotion-winning campaign with the best goalscoring and assist return of his career to date.

The Nigerian international looked a fading force as a defensive midfielder following the Foxes' relegation last season, with his future at the club seeming increasingly uncertain.

The appointment of Enzo Maresca, however, breathed new life into the 27-year-old's Leicester career, with the Italian tactician unlocking another dimension to Ndidi's game.

Maresca wasted no time in shifting the Super Eagle from his customary number six role into a more advanced number eight position - a masterstroke that has paid dividends.

Despite missing over two months through injury, Ndidi has flourished in his new remit, contributing six goals and six assists across all competitions.

Nine of those came in the Championship where the Foxes finished top of the standings despite losing the final game at home to Blackburn.

That impressive return surpasses his previous career-best figures of four goals and one assist for Genk in 2015/16, as well as one goal and four assists for Leicester in 2020/21.

Ndidi's positive play proved to be a key factor in the Foxes' immediate bounce back to the Premier League, with his strikes and playmaking proving crucial in several promotion-clinching victories.

The Nigerian enforcer's new lease of life is a testament to Maresca's forward-thinking and his ability to get the best out of his players through intelligent tactical tweaks.

Whereas many had written off Ndidi as a fading force, the Super Eagles star has been reborn as a goalscoring midfield dynamo capable of influencing games at both ends of the pitch.

With his confidence soaring, Ndidi will be keen to carry his new-found attacking impetus into the Premier League campaign as Leicester target an extended stay among the elite this time around.