‘Signing Kelechi Iheanacho was a mistake’ – Sevilla Director admits
Sevilla’s sporting director, Víctor Orta, has admitted that signing Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho was a mistake, acknowledging that the transfer did not go as planned.
After his contract with Leicester City ended last season, Iheanacho joined Sevilla in the summer with hopes of reviving his career. However, the move has not lived up to expectations.
Though Iheanacho scored three goals in the Copa del Rey against lower-league teams, he struggled in La Liga, making nine appearances, mostly as a substitute, without scoring any goals.
With limited opportunities and disappointing performances, Sevilla sent him on loan to Middlesbrough in the English Championship in January, hoping he could rediscover his form.
During the unveiling of new head coach Joaquín Caparrós, who replaced the sacked Garcia Pimienta, Orta openly expressed regret over the signing, saying:
“I want to clarify that the first two strikers were brought in as backups, to be practically the third striker, with a starter like Youssef and another striker who later appeared, like Isaac.
But it’s clear that betting on Kelechi this season has been a mistake, and we are now analysing why we made it.”
Since joining Middlesbrough, Iheanacho initially struggled but has shown signs of improvement, registering one goal and two assists in 11 appearances, including a good performance against Blackburn Rovers.
Despite these flashes of promise, his future remains uncertain. He doesn’t appear to be part of Sevilla’s plans, and a permanent move to Middlesbrough or another club seems more likely than a return to La Liga.
With Sevilla currently in 14th place in La Liga and changes underway, Iheanacho’s time in Spain seems to be coming to an end.
