Kelechi Iheanacho should leave Leicester City in the summer

Let’s face it, things haven’t worked out for Kelechi Iheanacho at the King Power Stadium. Maybe it’s time for the Nigerian to leave Leicester City – it could be best for both parties.

What is needed at Leicester City is a ready, capable and willing striker in support to Foxes main man up top, Jamie Vardy. Kelechi Iheanacho can be thought of as that understudy at present, especially considering Shinji Okazaki’s poor scoring record. Not to mention, the Japanese’s likely summer departure.

Yet Foxes of Leicester believes that the East Midlands club should be targeting a replacement for Iheanacho too. He is in the middle of a year-and-a-half goalscoring slump. Wouldn’t it be nice to persevere with the obviously talented natural goalscorer? Although, football is ultimately a business and the Nigerian is failing.

In fact, his recent record for netting for his club is horrendous: 10 finishes in 58 senior competitive appearances. Not good enough for the English Premier League, even as a backup.

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Most noteworthy is many onlookers concluding the 22-year-old would benefit from a significant starting run in the team. To be fair, in the not too distant past Iheanacho was assisting goals in a slightly altered role as forward facilitator. He also formed a now disbanded relationship with Vardy as a duo – which should possibly be attempted under new boss Brendan Rodgers.

While in a supporting capacity  Iheanacho immediately managed a succession of assists in an almost equal amount of matches at the season’s start; then fell away quite drastically. Determination and concentration seem to be issues with the former Manchester City hitman.

Leicester City and Nigeria

Unsurprisingly Iheanacho’s international manager, the constantly candid German Gernot Rohr, spoke harshly but fairly of his player:

"“I think he must be more professional.“We’re not satisfied with his performances the last time he was with us.“There’s a new coach at Leicester City (Brendan Rodgers) and it (his omission) will be an opportunity for Iheanacho to show during this international window that he wants to get back into the starting team of Leicester.“Personally, I think it’s a good thing for him to stay back at his club to prove this.“It’s not good enough to be funny all the time.“You must show that you are serious by working hard every day in the training sessions.“And show that you seriously want to come back into the team at the club and also with us.”Via BBC Sport"

Once again, as in domestic competition, for his nation Iheanacho was something of an enigma to begin with. He scored seven in 11 initially; but quickly capitulated into this record of one finish in 13 outings for his country.

These statistics lead FoL to conclude the Nigeria striker is suffering from complacency and could himself benefit from a transfer away during the summer window. Evidently he is a good enough for a lateral move to an equally decent top-flight side. Revitalising his career is surely his ideal.

To that end Leicester City should act fast, the now particularly extortionate fee paid for Iheanacho of £25 million – per ESPN – is evaporating to a lesser price as we speak; recouping half is essential. Then necessity on Filbert Way is to find a goal-hungry forward with the desire to be an established premiership player.