The situation of Nigeria international striker Kelechi Iheanacho at promotion chasing English Championship side Leicester City has gone from bad to worse, OwnGoalNigeria.com understands.
Leicester City are pushing for an instant return to the English Premier League and they look well on course to achieve that aim after solidifying their top spot with a 5-0 thrashing of Southampton. A win that took them to 94 points, four points clear of second place Ipswich Town.
While the team seems to be on course one player who has fallen out of favour since the turn of the year is Iheanacho. He has only played a total of 44 minutes spread over three games since returning from the AFCON, where he represented Nigeria and played a role in helping them finish second.
For the past three consecutive games he wasn’t named in the matchday squad, the seventh time it is happening for the 27 year old who has five goals and one assist this season from 22 games. He has made just ten starts this season.
His situation per what we were made to understand is connected to his decision to represent Nigeria at the AFCON against the wishes of club coach Enzo Maresca, who feels he wasn’t in the best shape physically to represent Nigeria following a knock.
He missed the Super Eagles first two games of the tournament due to the knock and wasn’t needed by the team until the knock out round of the tournament. The club medical team were disappointed that he decided to complete his rehabilitation in the camp of the senior national team of Nigeria.
Iheanacho’s future at the club isn’t guaranteed either as he is set to depart the team in the summer when his contract runs out. He has been linked with a host of teams in Turkey notably Trabzonspor, but there are also reports of interest from Crystal Palace.
The £80,000 a week forward favours staying in England than a move to Turkey putting Palace as the front runners to sign him on a free at the end of this season.
Daniel Martins
