Ty Bracey, Aston Villa podcaster and columnist, has tipped Villa to capture the signing of former Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi this summer.
The Nigerian international is currently a free agent and without a club as a result of his previous deal expiring at the end of June. Bracey, speaking to Villa News, has urged the club to make an offer to Ndidi and bring him to Villa Park.
"“He’d bring experience as a player who has played in the Premier League and European competition. That would be a massive bonus. We know he isn’t going to cost us anything so that’s a plus""Ty Bracey
With Boubacar Kamara likely to be side-lined through injury until October at the earliest, a signing of Wilfred Ndidi's calibre could prove to be a very intelligent signing by Unai Emery. Ndidi has previously been described as "world class" by former Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers. With nearly 200 Premier League appearances to his name Ndidi would provide great experience to the Villa squad. Having lost Douglas Luiz already this summer, Villa are looking to add greater depth to the squad and someone with Ndidi's experience would be very good for a squad heading into their first season of Champions League football.
Ndidi would provide a different option to the players already at Emery's disposal across the midfield. Ndidi is physically strong and possesses excellent defensive attributes, better than those of John McGinn, Your Tielemans and Ross Barkley. All three of those will be important players for Villa in their own ways, but someone with the physical presence of Ndidi would provide greater balance and defensive stability to the Villa side.
2023/24 league statistics (as per FBREF)
Player | Number of players tackled | Interceptions | Pass completion rate |
|---|---|---|---|
Wilfred Ndidi (32 appearances) | 37 | 27 | 80% |
John McGinn (35 appearances) | 59 | 21 | 79.5% |
Boubacar Kamara (20 appearances) | 43 | 21 | 89.1% |
Douglas Luiz (35 appearances) | 58 | 23 | 85.7% |
Your Tielemans (32 appearances) | 41 | 15 | 83.1% |
Ross Barkley (32 appearances) | 47 | 25 | 82.5% |
If Villa were to meet the wishes of Bracey and other Villa fans who might be wanting this deal to happen, then they are going to have to act fast with reports circulating the Ndidi could be close to agreeing a new deal with the Foxes.
Jordan Blackwell, Leicestershire Live, has reported that Ndidi is close to signing a new three-year deal with Leicester.
UTV