Kelechi’s made critics eat their words
NDIDI HAPPY TO SEE HIS CITY AND NIGERIAN TEAM-MATE THRIVING
KELECHI Iheanacho will get even better now the “unfair criticism” has stopped, his Leicester City and Nigeria team-mate Wilfred Ndidi has said.
Iheanacho is in the form of his career with seven goals in four games in March propelling City into the semi-finals of the FA Cup, keeping them on course for a top-four finish, and earning him the Premier League’s player of the month award as well as a new three-year contract.
The striker is playing with selfbelief, something he has not always had at City.
With only fleeting opportunities to impress, Iheanacho could never build up the confidence he needed to score regularly.
Making matters more difficult were the harsh assessments of his performances and character, with even his international boss Gernot
Rohr questioning his professionalism. Manager Brendan Rodgers recently recalled the groans Iheanacho’s involvement would cause during the early part of his City tenure.
The boss told Sky Sports: “I know when I came here that there were probably times when there were grumbles if he was playing but he has very quickly won over people.
“That is just through hard work, resilience and talent. What you are seeing is a young player at the top of his game.”
That kind of praise is now regularly coming Iheanacho’s way, and Ndidi believes it will help him kick on. “Kelechi’s talent was never in doubt, but people love to criticise others when they are down,” Ndidi told BBC Sport Africa.
“He was unfairly criticised and judged by different people. This is someone I have known from our youth days at the under-17s and I know his quality, so it’s not a fluke that he is producing his best football again.
“I am very happy for him because he’s doing wonderfully well now and everyone can see.
“It’s just sad that when he needed encouragement in the past few years many were quick to write him off, but thankfully some of these people have now turned around to praise him. That’s life.
“He’s a happy guy and Kelechi is only now enjoying a deserving reward for his tireless hard work.
“When you get a rhythm of games and the support of your coach, team-mates and fans, it can only get better.
“This latest chapter is going to give him the belief and confidence that he is a really important player for his club and country.
“I know and hope that he will continue to deliver for us. I never doubted him and I know he will bring more goals and performance that will continue to elevate him.”
For the first time in five games, Iheanacho was unable to find the net last weekend as he faced his former side Manchester City.
He will hope to keep his place in the team – and make a seventh straight start for the first time in his career – when City head to West Ham on Sunday for a crucial topfour clash. Last season at the London Stadium, Iheanacho scored the opener for City in a 2-1 win.