By Daily Sports on March 16, 2019
Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has noted that Jamie Vardy’s rich vein of form has not afforded Kelechi Iheanacho enough playing time this season.
The Super Eagles forward has largely been restricted to a bench role, with his last goal for the Foxes dating back to September; a Premier League fixture against Huddersfield Town.
Iheanacho has started just nine league matches this season and Rodgers who succeeded Claude Puel in February has disclosed that Vardy, the club’s top scorer this season, has made it ‘hard’ for the youngster but hopes to make him ‘enjoy his football again’.
“I think it’s about improving every player, I’ve always seen that as my job,” Rodgers was quoted by Leicester Mercury.
“It’s been hard for Kel [Iheanacho] because he’s come in and he’s been a secondary striker at Manchester City. All of a sudden he makes a move for big money and I think everyone can see the potential.
“But he’s come in to one of the top strikers in the league (Jamie Vardy) and I think it’s very hard to displace that.
“But it’s just a case of adapting to these new players. Actually, my job is not to put them in a trap of pressure and take that away from them. Enjoy your football, but ultimately your first job is to press and work hard. From that what can you add into your game?”
Iheanacho was an unused substitute in Leicester City’s 3-1 victory over Fulham last Saturday.
But the former Liverpool and Celtic boss also hinted that the 22-year-old could get chances to feature more, albeit in a ‘diamond’ system.
“I think he’s a great talent but he’s a number nine. He’s not one who can play on the sides or come in,” he added.
“Some strikers I’ve worked with you can maybe shuffle them about and slide them around to make it work – but he’s a number nine and that's it. And we already have a good number nine. So he’s got a fight to get ahead.
“But there’s maybe another system to make it work, like a diamond.” (Goal)
•Photo shows Kelechi Iheanacho
Source Daily Sports
Posted March 16, 2019
You may also like...
Tenger wants Lobi Stars salaries
Zidane struggling to shore up Real defence
Manchester United Ready To Sign Ighalo On Permanent...
Lagos to host international boxing clash
Stadium ban won't affect us, says Sunshine Stars'...
Manchester United Reclaim Top Spot After Club Record-Equalling...

World Cup: Morocco edge Scotland, USA march into last 32, Brazil beat Haiti
AFN shifts Commonwealth Games trials over delayed arrivals
Asaba to host President Federation Cup final
2026 World Cup: Nigerian-American Balogun wins second Man of the Match award
Finalists emerge at 47th CBN Senior Tennis tourney
US waives visa fees for Cape Verde keeper’s mother
World Cup: African teams concede 16 goals, score seven in first round
Eagles must move forward, Osimhen on Mundial miss
Women’s top seed reaches CBN tennis q’finals
Adeshina doubtful for Commonwealth Games
Oshoba, Ibeabuchi, Esepo lead 2026 FGM award nominees
Why I cried after first goal in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria — Messi
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,893 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,223 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,148 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,744 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,634 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,513 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,389 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,922 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,120 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,598 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,065 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,477 views)