It is hard to consider Pundit Emil Heskey’s recent comments about Kelechi Iheanacho as parti pris as the Leicester City forward is not pressing home the advantage of his goals scoring feat of last season.
Most of the time he either stood in for or formed a dynamic duo with Jamie Vardy last season, the output was crisp.
One had expected Iheanacho to ratchet things up a notch this season but the curve has been a downward one leading to observers like Heskey questioning Iheanacho’s ability to take over Leicester’s goals scoring mantle from an aging albeit still vibrant Vardy.
‘I can’t see Iheanacho being the next Vardy’ was the drumbeat from the former England centre forward who himself wasn’t overly prolific in his playing days. Many England fans to this day believe Emil Heskey should never have acquired the number of caps he did for the Three Lions. They bemoan his deficient goal scoring predatory instinct.
As for Iheanacho, the numbers look worryingly grim.
After 10 games last season, the 2013 U-17 world cup winner had amassed 3 goals and 4 assists. With the same number of games thus far this season, he has a big fat zero (0) against his name for goals or assists.
Admittedly he is has played fewer minutes, nonetheless, the stats are gloomy.
Unconfirmed reports even hold that he is set to lose his place in the national team in favour of strikers winning critical acclaim for their goals scoring exploits in club football. The likes of Taiwo Awoniyi and Sadiq Umar have thrown their hats in the Super Eagles ring following consistent knockout club performances. Iheanacho will need to get his striker’s form back on an even keel otherwise he runs the risk of seeing the season run away from him and his tenuous Super Eagles slot attenuate even further.
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