Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has defended Kelechi Iheanacho after the striker missed from the spot in Monday night’s Premier League away clash at Crystal Palace, reports Completesports.com.
The Nigeria international, who led the line in place of Jamie Vardy and had a penalty saved by Vicente Guaita in the 19th minute.
Wilfred Zaha fired the hosts ahead in the first half , while Harvey Barnes salvaged a draw for Leicester seven minutes from time.
Read Also: Rodgers Reacts To Iheanacho Penalty Miss Vs Crystal Palace
“He’s (Iheanacho) a boy who gives everything in training and he doesn’t get too many opportunities. He’s shown that in the Europa League where he has performed really well for us,”Rodgers said after the game.
“Ironically, yesterday, him and Ayo, because Jamie wasn’t starting, those were the two designated penalty takers, and he got five out of five penalties, great penalties, all different types, so it’s a great opportunity for him. But he just seemed a little but hesitant with it.
“He had another good chance at the near post, a good cross from Dennis comes in. It just didn’t quite fall for him today.”
Iheanacho has made eight league appearances for the Foxes this season and is yet to open his goal account.
5 Comments
He gives everything in training but fizzles out in real match situations. That’s Iheanacho for you.
A square peg in a round hole. Iheanacho is a winger/support striker, not a center forward. But Rodgers seems bent on using him as such.
So far, he has failed to pose enough threat to a 33 yr old Vardy, who like fine wine, seems to be getting better with age. With Vardy’s age in mind, Rodgers is likely to sign a new striker in January, and if that happens, Iheanacho’s position in the matchday squad may come under threat.
Iheanacho back in the day was a great penalty taker. His penalty kicks were similar to those of jayjay. I remember reading an article in which a player declared he never misses penalties. So whats gone wrong now? He missed one for Nigeria and one for his club.
I hope he isnt slipping back into that depressive state he had about two seasons ago when the coach started considering transferring him out.
He started this season well scoring goals in the Europa league but at the premiership level he hasn’t impressed.
I believe he only needs to work harder and get back to the form he was in last season. He is very talented and he will get chances to play. He only needs to ensure he makes very good use of those chances.
I see Taiwo Awoniyi taking Iheanachos place in the Super Eagles soon… Iheanacho is a good footballer but he seems just shy of turning up at the crest… Guy has always had huge potential with high confidence at Man City… He has slowed down greatly.
Nacho man’s performances jumping the shark only has himself to blame for it. Feels with pain and shame reading a player of his rear quality been talked down so often.