Leicester City’s three best performing players from September

Leicester City player of the month: Kelechi Iheanacho

Yes, this is controversial. Especially considering that WhoScored.com currently have Iheanacho sitting on a 6.27 rating overall this season – the fifth worst of the whole squad. I was going to have Vardy as the POTM, and many of you will have him as just that, but after watching footage of the games during September, it was hard to not give that accolade to Kelechi.

It will take some convincing for a few readers, but in the little game time that has been afforded Kelechi’s way, he has made an astounding impact. In September, he has only made two starts in five appearances, yet has provided a goal and three assists. Over half of the goals that Leicester have scored this month (7) have had Iheanacho directly involved (4).

His assist for Harvey Barnes against Napoli is inch perfect; it’s the type of ball we’d expect from Tielemans. Iheanacho picks up the ball from just in his own half, dribbles ten or so yards, before delivering a defence splitting ball to Harvey Barnes who finishes it in lovely fashion. I cannot explain here just how brilliant that assist is. Watch it again, you’ll see what I mean.

Kelechi got his second start of the season against Millwall and continued to impress there. His was the shot that found its way kindly to Lookman for the opener. Officially Iheanacho wasn’t awarded the assist, but it was all down to that shot. But then, the magic happens.

As the game wraps up, again Iheanacho picks up the ball from deep, dribbles with it to the edge of Millwall’s box, and then unleashes an unstoppable rocket into the top corner. The shot is so quick and powerful that all goalkeeper George Long could do was collapse backwards to the ground as he tried to keep up with what had just happened. When he hits a shot like that, no goalkeeper is ever getting it. Goal of the season so far.

Need more convincing? It was Iheanacho’s through ball on Saturday that Vardy latched onto to equalise for the Foxes for a second time. His ball had the perfect weight on it, the type of ball that James Maddison just isn’t providing at the moment.

And here lies the problem, because Iheanacho doesn’t perform at his peak when at the front of attack, he is best suited as a centre-froward, or even as a flat-out No.10. But right now, Leicester aren’t playing in a system that includes that role, instead they are playing with a flat midfield three and then a striker and two wingers. Kelechi has to play and start more, he has shown what he has to offer, Leicester now need to build around him.

What next for Iheanacho? If he plays, he will provide an extra threat for Leicester. In 39 appearances last season, he scored 19 goals and finished as the club’s highest goal scorer. Whilst he did not play in Poland due to paperwork issues, surely Iheanacho will have an important role when Leicester City visit Selhurst Park. After all, it was at that venue last season in which every Leicester fan was convinced that we had seen the last of Iheanacho after a dreadful performance. Kelechi will want vindication in that stadium, and that is a very exciting prospect.

Honourable mentions: Youri Tielemans, Timothy Castagne, and Wilfred Ndidi.

(Words by Will Kennedy)