The manager of Manchester City, Manuel Pellegrini, revealed at a press conference on Friday afternoon that Kelechi Iheanacho could start his first English Premier League match for the Citizens against Norwich on Saturday.
The 19-year-old started his first City match against Crystal Palace in the Capital One Cup competition on Wednesday and proved that he is a “special talent” by scoring one and assisting two goals in the 5-1 win.
On Friday, Pellegrini said, “Kelechi [Iheanacho] demonstrated what he can do and he will have an option to start [against Norwich]. “It’s not an easy position to start in this team,” he added.
Some City fans on social media platforms had advocated that the Nigerian should be started ahead of the more experienced Wilfried Bony, as lead striker, Sergio Aguero, continues rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.
And the young Nigerian seems confident enough that he will become a mainstay for the Citizens in the future.
“I know I have the quality to prove myself anytime I am given the chance,” he stated on the club’s official website after his man-of-the-match performance against Palace on Wednesday. “So anytime I am on the pitch I just have to really work hard and play to the instruction of the coach and try and score a goal.”
His abilities and performances have finally convinced Super Eagles manager, Sunday Oliseh, to hand him a call to the national team.
“I initially called up 23 players but I am adding Kelechi Iheanacho to the list immediately,” a recuperating Oliseh said on the official website of the Nigeria Football Federation. This news has also been reported on the City website captioned, ‘Iheanacho earns first Nigeria call-up’.
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