Eight-time Premier League winner Gary Neville has expressed optimism about Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho remaining in the Premier League with Leicester City next season.
The Nigeria national football team players have participated in a poor season for the 2015/16 Premier League champions. They are fighting relegation from the Premier League with the Foxes.
Their poor form has seen them hover between 15th and 20th. But after their latest result, Gary Neville has expressed a strong belief that they have a better chance of retaining their top-flight status as the season wraps up.
Wilfred Ndidi puts in a good shift before picking up a knock, Kelechi Iheanacho makes his return to action as Leicester City keep their survival hopes alive with a draw. pic.twitter.com/rShFGPWzbD
— Home of Nigerian Football (@EaglesTrackerNG) May 22, 2023
Leicester Secure Point Away at Newcastle United
Super Eagles Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho were in the starting XI of the Foxes team that travelled to St. James' Park on Monday night.
A win or a draw would have secured Newcastle United's top-four spot and a return to the UEFA Champions League after 15 years. For Leicester City, a win would have seen them move into 17th place, away from the relegation spots, thanks to their better goal difference over Everton, who would move down into 18th.
Iheanacho returned to the starting lineup after missing three games due to injury. However, he was subbed at halftime while Ndidi was brought off after the hour mark as Dean Smith's side sealed an important point at Newcastle.
The point gave Leicester City hope that they can still avoid relegation, although they must beat West Ham United on the final day and hope Bournemouth can beat Everton.
A hard-fought point ⏱️#NEWLEI pic.twitter.com/lawr0XoYyl
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 22, 2023
Paul Onuachu and Joe Aribo, two Nigeria Super Eagles AFCON 2023 squad hopefuls, have already been relegated with Southampton. Taiwo Awoniyi, another hopeful, who is also looking to make the squad list for the upcoming AFCON 2023 qualifiers fixtures, recently saved his team from relegation.
Should Ndidi and Iheanacho survive on the last day of the season, their safety will lead to the relegation of Alex Iwobi, another Nigerian.
Neville: Leicester Showed Character With Draw Against Newcastle
Neville, who is spending his retirement after eight Premier League wins working as a football pundit for many broadcasters in England, said that the Foxes showed character against a motivated Newcastle to earn a point.
Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football (via Leicester Mercury), he said, “What they’ve done tonight, Leicester is keeping themselves in with a better chance on the last day. They definitely have a better chance than last week – I thought they were finished, but they’ve shown something tonight.”
“Look, Newcastle hit the post. They hit the bar. They’ve had multiple shots on target. Leicester has given us nothing apart from the last five minutes, where they had that chance with Castagne, but they’re looking for a mad final day, aren’t they, Leicester? That’s what they’re banking on – that something crazy happens at Goodison Park,” said the former Manchester United man.
This article was most recently revised and updated 5 days ago
