The Nigerian youngster announced himself with a goal
against Crystal Palace last weekend, but can he enjoy long-term success
at the Etihad Stadium?
Selhurst Park has not been a happy hunting ground for the English Premier League big boys in recent times and it was going in the same direction for Manchester City last Saturday until Nigerian teenage sensation Kelechi Iheanacho stole the show.
It was the 18 year old’s second senior appearance for the Citizens, and his impact off the bench ensured City’s 100 percent league start to the season continued.
There is a lot of optimism over Iheanacho’s development at the Ethiad Stadium. His performances at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup that earned him both the Golden Ball and Gold Boot award caught the eye of some big suitors like Arsenal, FC Porto, Sporting Lisbon and Hamburg, but City acted swiftly in securing his signature before the others did.
City were the first to move to secure the Nigerian wonderkid
Does Iheanacho stand a chance of featuring regularly this season?With the exits of strikers Edin Dzeko and Stefan Jovetic, Iheanacho is the third-choice striker behind Sergio Aguero and Wilfried Bony.
Aguero has found his career in the blue half of Manchester affected by consistent injuries. The injuries however haven’t stopped him from putting in top-class performances. Wilfried Bony sealed a big-money move from Swansea City in January 2015 but Africa’s most expensive player has failed to replicate the same form he showed in South Wales where he scored most EPL goals in 2014.
In Aguero’s absence, City have at times struggled to make impact, especially in decisive fixtures.
Will Kelechi be able to usurp either of these two frontmen?
Can Iheanacho be the shining light in Aguero’s absence just he was
against the Eagles? Will he dethrone Bony as the second-choice striker
should the Ivorian continue to misfire?Tuesday’s 2-1 home loss to Juventus in the Champions League was a big setback for the Citizens, who have now failed the win their opening group game for the fifth-consecutive time. With Aguero’s niggling injuries and Bony’s lack of form, which was clearly demonstrated against the Old Lady, Iheanacho’s exclusion from the Champions League, which was as a result of the quota of foreigners in the squad having been filled, could put a dent in the Citizens’ hopes of moving a step further in the competition.
Iheanacho has got great pace, superb technique, wonderful passing ability, fantastic movement and a good eye of goal which was demonstrated against Palace with a real poacher’s effort. His cameo at Selhurst Park gives indication that the young Nigerian is set for great things if all goes in the right trajectory.
Did Iheanacho do enough against Crystal Palace to earn more gametime for City?
Iheanacho’s move to Manchester didn’t command the huge fees which
have been a regular feature of City’s transfer spending ever since
Sheikh Mansour took over the club in 2008. There has, however, been
little concentration on promoting young talent to date…or at least, a
limited flow of players making the first-team squad from the academy.
However, with Financial Fair Play rules hitting City, and the
establishment of a world-class youth academy, there is a need to focus
on youth.Could Iheanacho go on to be the first of such youth products to hit the limelight under the Sheikh’s reign?
Iheanacho touch map | A remarkable impact against Crystal Palace
Manager Manuel Pellegrini said of the Taye Academy graduate: “He is a
very important player for us......He will be a very important player in
the future.”Will the 62 year old Chilean give the Nigerian a chance to evolve into a key man? And perhaps as importantly, will the youngster’s goal against Palace convince the coach to give him further opportunities to impress this term?
It’s not the first time such promises have been made to exciting talents only to see them head for the exit. John Guidetti and Dedryck Boyata were two examples, destined to feature regularly for the Citizens after various impressive loan spells but ultimately departing the club after a lack of opportunities.
Can Iheanacho replicate his 'Instant Impact' against West Ham this weekend?
Will it be the same for Iheanacho?The Nigerian certainly has the talent to become a rare homegrown star at the Etihad, but will he receive the opportunities required to showcase and improve his talent?
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