Kelechi Iheanacho
Kelechi Iheanacho is now one of the best strikers in the world
Nigerian legendary footballer Nwankwo Kanu says his compatriot Kelechi Iheanacho is now one of the best strikers in the world.
Iheanacho has scored 18 goals for top English Premier League side Leicester City across all competitions this season which is proving to be his best campaign in England.
On Saturday, the left-footed striker helped Leicester win the FA Cup for the first time after defeating Chelsea 1-0 at the Wembley Stadium.
Kanu, who played for Arsenal and Portsmouth in the Premier League during his playing days, stated that Iheanacho’s renaissance is a big lesson at Leicester where he initially struggled for game time.
“He has gone through some really bad times and I know what a lot of people have said about him when he was in those low periods,” Kanu told ESPN.
“But we know it is football. When you are not doing well, people talk anyhow and say what they want but when you start doing well, the same people come back.
“For me, I always know he is a good footballer. I always talk with him, encourage him, send him messages when he is doing well and when he is not doing well and telling him to keep his head up.”
The 23-year-old joined Leicester from current Premier League champions Manchester City in 2017 and he played second fiddle to English star Jamie Vardy at the Foxes.
“The only thing was for him to work hard, Talent with hard work works. If you believe only in the talent, it will disappoint you so you have to marry the two together,” he continued.
“It is something great that he is back now. Not only for himself but for the country. We need all our players to be in top form. Right now he is. If you mention the top strikers in the world now, Kelechi’s name will be there because he is scoring and that is what you need from strikers.
“What happened to him is a very big lesson, and the way he responded is what makes a great player. He didn’t talk too much, he just worked hard and see where he is now.”
Iheanacho was mainly used as an impact player coming off the bench by Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers before the current season.
“It is wonderful to see them as FA Cup champions. They needed to go for it and they did. Congratulations to them, they did really well,” he added.
“This will now give them the belief that they can go and do more. When you win one, you want to win another and another one. At least you know that you have won the FA Cup.
“The next thing now is to look for more trophies and it gives them more confidence and more encouragement and the belief that they can do anything and win against anybody.”
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