The Nigerian has won more tackles than any other player in the Premier League this campaign.

Wilfred Ndidi has been Leicester’s best player this season, according to Foxes boss Claude Puel.

The 21-year-old has only been at the King Power Stadium just over a year but he is developing into one of the Premier League’s best defensive midfielders.

Ndidi has won more tackles than any other player in the division this season and has become a key component in how Leicester play under Puel.

“Since the beginning of the season, Wilfred is the most consistent player because he plays well, he recovers a lot of ball,” said Puel.

“Perhaps in his last game (against Stoke), like his team-mates, he was not fantastic. But since the beginning of the season, he’s improved a lot, he continues to work with good spirit in the training sessions, always correct.

“He is a valuable player for us because we didn’t have a lot of players with the same attributes. He can recover a lot of balls, he is strong in the duels and now, when he plays simple with quality, he can give a good start in our play.”

Ndidi’s displays have inevitably seen him linked with other clubs but Puel is pleased to see speculation about another of his players and takes it as a compliment.

“Every week it’s a different player,” said the Frenchman, whose side will look for a first win in five Premier League matches when Bournemouth visit the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

“It’s a good feeling because if some players can have some speculation around them all this shows is that they progress in the team. They’ve got to continue to work with us, of course.

“I’m happy about Wilfred, like Harry (Maguire), Riyad (Mahrez), Jamie (Vardy), all the players. It’s a good thing also to have some players with this quality and about the interest of other teams also.”

Puel hopes to have Shinji Okazaki back in contention against Bournemouth. The Japan international striker will be assessed, having missed the last three games with a knee problem.

Okazaki resumed training this week and is the only injury concern for Leicester.