Many times, when people fall from the top, their main challenge most times is not how to rise again; but how to find their way back to the top. But what’s best for people who have one time erred and have encountered a downfall in their ways, is to be patient and not rush their way back to the top and take things gradually to avoid a bigger downfall.
Kelechi Iheanacho must’ve learned his lessons by now and know that a single decision can make or mar someone’s life. Arriving in Man City’s youth team after his 2013 U17 World Cup exploits, the Imo born Nigerian found himself on the good books of the then city manager, Manuel Pellegrini. But his chances of playing in the team was reduced due to the arrival of Gabriel Jesus from Brazil, and the exit of the manager who brought him to the Manchester Club.
Par for the course, the striker had to seek a career and more of playing time away from Manchester in the following transfer window and Westham, Everton and a couple of clubs from the German Bundesliga showed interest in him. Again, Kelechi preferred a move to the East Midlands. Perhaps due to his aspiration of playing for big clubs but was another mistake in his decision making – he was never going to put Jamie Vardy on the bench.
The English Premier League as we know can be too overwhelming for young players, and with many expectations from the Nigerian forward, he didn’t enjoy many breakthroughs with the Foxes and things failed to materialize on the pitch. As a result, every enthusiasm surrounding the Nigerian prospect faded away and left behind the anger and skepticism of Kelechi’s success at Leicester on the mind of the Leicester fans.
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With Claude Puel as Leicester manager, Kelechi’s customized seatbelt on the bench is assured and made him bereft of confidence – leading to his goal tally getting dropped by the second and speculations came around as to his days coming to an end with the King Power outfit.
Close to a year, Kelechi Iheanacho looked like he was set on leaving Leicester when Brendan Rodgers was announced as the Foxes’ new manager. Looking at how Brendan plays with only one attacker upfront, Iheanacho’s place in Rodgers’ squad was not sure and considering his omission from Nigeria’s squad at The AFCON in Egypt last year, he became a potential cast away for both club and country. But fast forward to this period, the Iheanacho seems as though on a different level with Leicester. Interesting!
The arrival of Brendan Rodgers came rather as a blessing for Kelechi and an opportunity to retrace his way back into the Leicester squad as well as the Nigerian national team. Iheanacho and his cohorts are the reasons Brendan Rodgers’s work is becoming a huge success as a Leicester manager. Doing what Claude Puel and Craig Shakespeare couldn’t do. Hopefully, Leicester City might be in the Champions League next season.
Recently, Iheanacho scored a crucial leveler in a Carabao Cup semi-final against Aston Villa. Apparently, his confidence is growing back speedily and with goals against Luton Town and Burton Albion, and further Premier League goals at Aston Villa, Everton, and West Ham. As well as his lone goal against Brentford on Saturday means the Nigerian international has been directly involved in nine goals in his last 6 appearances for the club.
Also, Iheanacho’s goal at Brentford means he has now scored 9 goals in 9 starts in the FA Cup (5 goals for Leicester and 4 for Manchester City). However, there are still many things expected to come from the 23-year-old as Leicester currently nurse the injury of their Ace striker (Jamie Vardy). Kelechi has all it takes to impress his manager in the absence of the English international.
Rodgers undoubtedly has rejuvenated Iheanacho to the one everyone knew in 2013. Albeit, he may never be as industrious or ruthless as Jamie Vardy, but he can certainly form a more deadly partnership with him when he fully recovers from injury. Or, become the sole heir to Vardy’s throne after Vardy might’ve retired.
