Soccer
Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi. (Photo by Imago)
Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi had been tipped to leave Beşiktaş this summer following the appointment of Vincenzo Italiano as coach, but that may no longer be the case, Soccernet.ng reports.
Ndidi joined the Turkish Süper Lig side from Leicester City last summer and quickly became a key figure under former manager Sergen Yalçın.
However, he could not help the club achieve any significant success last season as they finished 4th in the league, and consequently parted ways with Yalçın at the end of the campaign.
Italian tactician Italiano was appointed last month, and there has been a lot of talk about how the team would shape up with his appointment. And last week, they kicked off pre-season preparations.
Nigeria’s 29-year-old skipper, Ndidi, was among the first players in camp and has been training with the rest of the squad. He even featured in their first pre-season game of the summer on July 5.
Soccer What Wilfred Ndidi Said About Beşiktaş Boss Italiano
Before their training session on Tuesday, Wilfred Ndidi spoke about the key expectations of the new manager, Italiano, and noted that players are not restricted to specific roles, beIN Sports Türkiye reports.
Speaking during the interview, the midfielder explained that the players are adapting to life under the new manager, adding that the coach encourages everyone to contribute to both the attack and the defense.
”In the game, it’s not just about [being a] number 8, because when we defend, I have to help in defense. When we attack, I also have to help the attack,” he told beIN Sports.
”He made us understand that we have the freedom to go into the box. It is going well. With time, as I said before, we are going to adapt. With time, we are going to understand more of what he wants, and what he wants is very clear,” he added.
This summer, Ndidi has attracted interest from several clubs abroad. He has been linked with moves to the Premier League and the Saudi Pro League, but nothing concrete has emerged yet.
Judging by current appearances, it seems that the Super Eagles skipper will continue to play a key role for Beşiktaş next season. As such, all his suitors may have to wait until January or next summer.
Kelvin Omachonu
Kelvin Omachonu is a professional football columnist and sports writer with over half a decade of experience covering major events and delivering captivating, analytically-driven stories.
A graduate of the University of Ibadan, he is fueled by a profound dedication to sports journalism and the beautiful game. His insights have previously been featured in respected outlets, including IndyPress UI, UCJ UI Newshive NG, Sportpremi, and a few others.
Away from work, Kelvin is an avid fan of basketball, enjoys a great movie, and is always discovering new music.
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