Manager Brendan Rodgers says Wilfred Ndidi was outstanding at centre-back for Leicester City, who made the perfect start to the new Premier League season with a 3-0 win at West Brom on Sunday.
Timothy Castagne headed the Foxes into the lead after 56 minutes on his debut, following his £22m move from Atalanta, before Jamie Vardy scored twice from the spot to hand Rodgers’ side a comfortable win.
Nigerian midfielder Ndidi, who had played an hour in defence in the Foxes final pre-season friendly against Blackburn, posted a decent performance in his makeshift role, after his nervous start in an unfamiliar role that included some nervy back-passes.
“Ndidi playing at centre-back was outstanding,” Leicester manager Rodgers told BBC Sport after the game.
“He played 60 minutes there in a pre-season friendly. He did play there earlier in his carreer. He’s got the profile to play there – he’s big with a good leap.
“Even if he’d played there all his life it would be tough coming back from everyone playing different systems with national teams. It would always be difficult to be cohesive after a couple of days training.”
His compatriot, Kelechi Iheanacho was an unused substitite in the win.
Leicester City host Burnley at the King Power stadium on Sunday in their next EPL game.