Rodgers explained Iheanacho’s situation before match-winning goal
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers explained Kelechi Iheanacho’s current situation, with respect to minimal game time, before the Nigeria international scored another match-winning goal in the FA Cup. Foxes of Leicester offer views.
The Foxes produced a professional-type performance to progress to the FA Cup Fourth Round on Saturday afternoon. Gillingham were surprisingly resilient opposition for a team currently at the bottom of Football League Two. While the east Midlanders struggled to fashion Premier League-level attacking moves, they appropriately lowered themselves for the rough and tumble of early stage footy, along with employing the long ball. When in Rome.
Although the Kent squad do not pose much of an attacking threat – they have overtaken the unwanted record for fewest scored by an English side this season – they were a credit to boss Neil Harris. You may perhaps remember Harris as a former player for Leicester rivals Nottingham Forest.
Kelechi Iheanacho netted the goal that separated the two on the day; the Nigerian started with Jamie Vardy in a duo as the gaffer, Rodgers, opted for a 4-4-2 formation at Priestfield. However, when in possession of the ball, the King Power club morphed into a 3-5-2, giving Iheanacho some defensive work to do, as well as a new role.
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Many of us LCFC fans would like to see more of the polarising forward in the team. Yes, Iheanacho is inconsistent and he arguably doesn’t have the work ethic of Patson Daka or Vardy, yet he often comes up with the goods at opportune moments.
Why Kelechi Iheanacho doesn’t play more for Leicester City
During the week, Rodgers was asked about the ex-Manchester City man featuring more regularly. In addition to why the Northern Irishman favours other Foxes personnel. Now, the onetime Liverpool head coach is a natural politician in interviews and press conferences, deflecting more shots than prime Wes Morgan. Yet, he seems to be offering more genuine information surrounding squad affairs these days.
Whilst Leicester City youth prospects such as Kasey McAteer and Lewis Brunt took their chances, Brunt possibly to a further extent, Iheanacho was also prominent. Though he might have only gotten a chance due to his superb cup record, along with the altered system and rotation. Rodgers also divulged that the lack of consistency from the striker does frustrate him occasionally:
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"“I think it’s because of Patson and his pressing and how he has done when he’s played. Obviously none of our strikers have scored a great amount of goals. I put that down to other aspects of their game, rather than them not finishing.“He (Iheanacho) has played better in a two, rather than up there on his own. Kel’s a specific type of striker. When I have gone for pace, which I normally have through the central area, it’s been Patson or Vards who I’ve played.“Obviously if ever I’ve needed to swivel it to two up front, then he’s been a part of that. But he’s a really good option for us, whether he begins on the bench or he starts. Sometimes Kel comes into the game and is amazing and then he’ll do something in the same game which is not so good.“But what I always get from him is 100 per cent commitment. I’m always pretty sure, whether he starts or comes off the bench, he always gives his very best.”Read more at Leicestershire Live"