NACHO NOW LOOKS TASTY
BRENDAN RODGERS says Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho is poised to prove he’s no £25m flop.
The 23-year-old has lived in the shadow of Jamie Vardy since his big-money move from Manchester City two years ago.
But Rodgers says Iheanacho is finally getting to grips with what it takes to be a top-level marksman.
He’s called on him four times this season and he has scored every time, including the last-gasp winner against Everton and in Sunday’s 4-1 victory at Aston Villa.
That’s in stark contrast to a player who managed only one goal in 30 outings last season, and Rodgers believes the penny has dropped.
The Foxes boss said: “He’s settling in to being a Leicester player now. He was playing second fiddle to Vardy, without many appearances. Probably before when (right) he’s come into games, when you’re not playing so much, sometimes you can force it.”
Rodgers revealed he took Iheanacho to one side for a pep talk and told him not to worry about not being in the team.
He said: “All we’ve said is work hard in training. That’s all you can do. Don’t worry about being picked or not – that’s the manager’s choice.
“As long as you are working hard and giving me something to think about, then that’s all you can do.
“He’s been first class in training and you’ve seen him in his cup games, he comes in and he scores.
“Against Everton he came in and made a great impact. Then it’s just a case of him coming in with confidence and at Villa his hold-up play was excellent.”