Brendan Rodgers says Kelechi Iheanacho misread the situation when he failed to give the ball back to an opponent after the ball was deliberately put out of play for a medical attention on a player in Saturday’s Premier League match at the King Power Stadium.
Midway through the first half of Leicester City’s 1-1 draw with Norwich, the Canaries kicked the ball out of play with Emiliano Buendia needing treatment.
The unwritten law dictates City return possession to the visitors, but Iheanacho played on and dribbled towards goal.
Todd Cantwell was booked for placing his hands near the Nigerian’s throat after the irate Norwich players charged towards him after he was tripped by Christoph Zimmermann.
The situation eventually subsided and James Maddison passed the free-kick out for a goal kick to return to the ball to Norwich.
“He totally misread that situation. The ball should go back. Thankfully nothing came of that,” Rodgers told reporters after the game.
Also Read: Iheanacho Subbed Off, Ndidi Stars In Leicester Home Draw; Bournemouth Win At Chelsea
“Most times the ball will be given back. It led to the situation which might have led to a red card which would have been an awkward one as well.
“They [Norwich City players] were disappointed that he wanted to try to get in and score. Young Kels [Kelechi]. I’m not sure what he was thinking to be honest, he’s an honest boy. He’s clearly got kicked. Thankfully, it was sorted out and nothing else happened.
“The [Iheanacho] substitution was to change our shape. He was obviously disappointed, but it was nothing personal.”
6 Comments
KELECHI should be wise n do his football a massive favour by leaving Leicester. He is a top talent but not Rogers kinda player. Seem most likely he’s got few games under his belt now because of Kolo Toure’s presence in coaching crew.
Make village people still leave this guy na, wetin self? I wonder what will make a professional baller not understand that simple rule
TO us Nigerians we have a way of insulting someone.when u were in school,how many of your courses did u score 5 points or 100%? EVRRY ONE IS BOUND TO DO A MISTAKE,no one can claim to be infallible in all remifications.
And there was a game Kanu scored in similar
Instance. He was rebuked, but he wasnt subbed off immediately. I think the coach overreacted
I think Kelechi Has a serious problem and one that he needs to come to serious grip with if he is to reach his true potential and become a superstar football.
Kelechi’s problem seems to be clear stage freight, and having an innate inability to handle expectations and eyes when placed on him. When giving the chance he always seems to succumb to nerves and fear and fumbles. I can’t explain it but it is very sad to see.
You see against Everton and Aston Villa he was flying a bit under the radar so he excelled but because of that the media and his coach paid a little bit more attention to him and he was duelly awarded a starting birth again for the second time in a row because Kelechi convinced Brendan Rodgers that the 2 attackers up front as oppose to the diamond should be preferred… So it was, now Kelechi has his chance and like reminiscent to his Man City days when faith is placed on him he fumbles. its so sad to see but that is Kelechi in a nut shell. A real raw diamond but, one that will not and cannot reach his true potential unless he combats his greatest adversity “Stage Freight and the whole worlds/Media eyes on him.
Like I always maintain Kelechi’s problem is not how much game time he gets its what he does with that game time when it is awarded to him.
You spoke my mind clearly.