CAN NEW BOY NDIDI SURPASS KANTE?

LEICESTER bought Wilfred Ndidi to fill the hole left by N’Golo Kante but the evidence is stacking up that the 20-year-old might one day surpass his predecessor’s contributions. Against Stoke Ndidi scored a wonderful goal from range that scorched through the air, and he provided the defensive coverage and quick transition that is so vital to his side’s style. The £15million Leicester paid Genk in January already appears an excellent use of resources and Craig Shakespeare has revealed the club beat others to his signature.

Sportsmail understands Southampton and Crystal Palace made hard approaches, while Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham all registered an interest. Hamburg made Genk an offer but Ndidi had made up his mind. ‘I think we were one of the first clubs, if not the first, to show an interest in him,’ said Shakespeare, who takes Leicester into a Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid a week on Wednesday. ‘I think he, his family, and agent, remembered that so we were in the driving seat when other clubs came in for him. Some players are more interested in financial things but Wilfred has a good humility about him, he’s very level-headed. We’ve got a good player on our hands.’