ANDREW EKEJIUBA
Kelechi Iheanacho’s father, James Iheanacho, has urged the red-hot Leicester City dare-devil striker to stay put at the King Power Stadium following reports linking his son to a possible move to Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
The Foxes and manager Brendan Rodgers have faith in the Nigeria international and the fact that he recently signed a fresh three-year contract is a testament to that.
It is claimed that Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea have targeted Iheanacho because the futures of Edinson Cavani, Alexandre Lacazette and Tammy Abraham respectively are up in the air.
Having previously played second fiddle to Jamie Vardy, the former Manchester City wunderkind has emerged as a key player for Leicester City since the start of March scoring 10 goals in seven outings across all competitions.
“I know he has signed a new contract with Leicester City. If he’s doing well at Leicester, what is the need of looking for another club?” James Iheanacho queried and reacting to the ‘transfer rumours’ following his son’s superlative form in recent weeks.
“He should remain with Leicester as he is doing well there. There’s no need to join a new club when Leicester are happy with him. Let him stay there.
“There is no secret behind his form, football is in his blood. I know during my days how I used to score goals, so we thank God for that.
“Kelechi will score more goals before the end of the season,” Iheanacho’s father added with great optimism.
The 24-year-old Iheanacho was named Premier League’s Player of the Month for March 2021, while missing out on the Goal of the Month accolade.
Meanwhile, Leicester City will host West Brom at the King Power Stadium on Thursday evening and Iheanacho is in line to set a new personal record for goals in a single Premier League season.
Should the Nigeria international find the net in this game, he’ll take his tally to nine goals for the season.
Iheanacho’s personal record for league goals in a single-season was first set in the 2015-2016 campaign in his first full season in Manchester City’s first team and he equalled the feat when he netted in the 92nd minute in a 3-2 loss to West Ham on April 11.
The 24-year-old has scored seven goals in his last five Premier League matches for Leicester City, as many as he had in his previous 63 appearances in the competition.
It is worthy of note that all his goals in the league this season came in away matches with the exception of his hat-trick against Sheffield United on matchday 28. By netting the winner against Southampton last weekend, he set a new record for goals in a single season (all competitions), surpassing the 14 he netted for Manchester City in 2015-2016