Three reasons why Kelechi Iheanacho must leave Manchester City before transfer window closes
While we all celebrated his feat and talked about how good he would become if he continues to get playing time, his head coach Pep Guardiola just doesn’t care as he clearly doesn’t trust him.
As it stands Kelechi Iheanacho isn’t the third choice striker at Manchester City but the fourth choice striker at the Etihad Stadium.
The Nigerian striker has only played for 80 minutes in their last five games (subbed on 89minutes against Liverpool, started and played 46 minutes v Burnley, unused sub v WestHam, subbed on in the 62nd minutes against Everton, didn’t make the bench v Tottenham and in their win over Palace in the FA Cup. for his club.
Here are three reasons why Kelechi must leave City before the end of the transfer window.
1. He is further down in the pecking order.
James Iheanacho, Kelechi Iheanacho’s father recently said, “Kelechi is not going on loan because his name is not among the players leaving. It’s only on Saturday he did not play or make the bench.”
Now that he didn’t make the bench again maybe his father will rethink that decision for the good of his son.
Kelechi Iheanacho is Pep Guardiola’s third/fourth choice striker, Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus and maybe Nolito are ahead of him and if he must play regular football a move away from the city of Manchester is the solution.
To be a third/fourth choice under a manager that play one striker is not a situation any player would want to be in.
2. Pep Guardiola doesn’t believe in him
Yes, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich like every other manager prefer a certain type of player who they feel suit their style of play, from the look of things he doesn’t see Kelechi has a player he can trust.
The last time Kelechi started a game for City he only played 46 minutes, even when Aguero was serving suspensions he played Nolito ahead of him, with the arrival of Gabriel Jesus he has failed to make the bench in their last two games.
Pep had talked about the quality he possesses but has always never believed in the Nigerian.
When recently asked what would have to happen to get the Iheanacho a first team opportunity, Guardiola said: “Change the coach maybe!
“Of course he deserves to play, but there are many, many others who deserve to play too.”
No doubt Pep rates the Nigerian striker, else he wouldn’t have started him against Manchester United but he clearly doesn’t believe in him. You can’t keep a player you believe in on the bench even when he was the only natural player for his position.
3. He has a lot of potential
Kelechi Iheanacho needs to play week in week out, he has a lot of potential and by sitting on the bench he wouldn’t fulfill his potentials.
A move away from Manchester City will give him playing time and the confidence he requires to be a top player.
Again after City humiliated Palace in the FA fourth round Pep said this about the trio of Jesus, Sane, and Sterling, “We cannot forget that we played with three strikers who are 19, 21 and 22. They are so, so young. It is the future for Manchester City and all three they played really good.”
Kelechi Iheanacho will be fighting a lost battle if he stays to fight for shirt against Aguero and Jesus. It will be difficult for him to satisfy a manager that doesn’t believe in him, Kelechi must move before the transfer window closes.