Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has explained why he left Kelechi Iheanacho on the bench for the entire duration of Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Chelsea, Completesports.com reports.
Rodgers opted to make three substitutions in the game, despite having five available to him.
With the Foxes chasing an equaliser to keep themselves in the competition, Iheanacho remained on the bench all through the game.
Read Also: Ndidi In Action, Iheanacho Benched As Chelsea Beat Leicester, Qualify For FA Cup Semi-final
“I was just looking at Jamie knowing he still looked fresh,” said Rodgers when questioned on why Iheanacho did not make an appearance.
“We felt he (Vardy) could grab a goal, he doesn’t need many opportunities, so it was just waiting for that opportunity for him to come. So it was as simple as that.”
Ross Barkley turned in Willian’s cross for the only goal of the game in the 63rd minute.
The top-four contenders will face Everton in a Premier League fixture at the Goodison Park on Wednesday.
By Adeboye Amosu
10 Comments
It’s now clear that Kelechi should not be solely blamed for his woes. Rogers is rather ambivalent, compounding this guy’s problems.
Antidote? Check out on lone to France or Spain.
Better move to a clubside where the manager believes in you than trying to make a manager believe in you, as that lack of believe might be due to loads of other things such as your face, your life style, your vibration,etc besides football. Really sad seeing how Nacho just wasting away, all in an attempt to convince Rogers. Do I blame Rogers? Definitely No. Every manager has their kind of player. Footballers must learn to know managers that fancy their style. As good as Friday Ekpo, Westerhof didn’t fancy his style and as such he didn’t quite get the respect he truly deserved under Westerhof
Uncle Glory. I do hope you are still not upset with me as I am sorry for anything harmful I might have typed in our last explosive exchanges.
On Iheanacho, I think we should be grateful to Coach Brendan Rodgers for the truly remarkable turnaround that we have seen in his games this season.
For someone about to be labelled a flop, Iheanacho is now undoubtedly one of the revelations of the 2019-20 Premier League season. I watched aspects of his game in the league recently over and continued to be proud of how he has turned his career around.
He provides assists, scores goals and contributes positively to team efforts. He wins critical acclaim regularly. It’s a shame that due to rotation policy, some other strikers were selected instead of him against Chelsea over the weekend.
And I believe all that owes to the patience, persistence and perseverance of Brendan Rodgers who stuck with him after many have written him off.
But more to your point, I think it is time for Iheanacho to consider his future at Leicester. He will never upstage Jamie Vardy (for one) and as much as Brendan Rodgers believes in him, Brendan Rodgers is still looking for further attacking options.
If Rodgers should land some of the signings linked to Leicester, then Iheanacho will go further down in the pecking order which would be harmful.
Peace.
He Was Waithng 4 Vardy To Score Wen Vardy Was Chasing Shadow Throughout D Match God Wil Nacho.Shame On U Rodger
Iheanacho needs to leave…this guy doesn’t have any faith in him…sign for another club next season even it’s on loan.
Definitely don’t get upset by any of such broda man Deo. My life philosophy is founded on, since oil n water can’t mix, it only makes sense not to force it but respect each, nothing to get angry about. Anyway regarding Rogers, I have not will not criticize Rogers and like I said some time ago, Nacho has never been Rogers kinda player. Rogers like to have players that are really fast/speedy n tenacious, especially in the striking role while Nacho is the other kind, very much like Pepe, calculative to produce precision. Does that make Nacho a bad player? definitely not but would he ever be trusted by Rogers? I honestly doubt. Arsenal at present would suit Nacho’s style if I must suggest.
Thanks Glory. Iheanacho is on the right path. He has his career back up and running. The choices he makes from here and how he maintains his work ethics will be key.
Very well said @ Deo.
U were waiting on vardy to get an opportunity to score??? That sounds ridiculous and stupid. If it were kele u wouldnt wait for the second half to resume before u hurl him out. Anyway, the message is clear to the boy, find your way, your services are no longer needed.
There’s a GOOD NEWS I’ve been waiting for CSN to post since yesterday!
DELE ALAMPASU is back! He was in Goal for Ventspil, Latvia yesterday as they recorded a 3-1 away win against Spartak. Even if it’s LATVIA, Black Gaol keepers are hardly given a chance in goal in Europe but DELE’s talent cannot be denied for sure. He kept yesterday and am sure it’s the beginning of more Good news to come from him. Congratulations Dele