Austin Eguavoen reveals why Leicester City star Kelechi Iheanacho has been struggling

The interim coach of the three-time African champions believes the Foxes star is a good player, but he needs a stable position

Super Eagles interim coach Austin Eguavoen has said that Kelechi Iheanacho has not taken his game to the next level because he plays two different roles at the international and club level.

Iheanacho was expected to become a world-beater after he starred for Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets at the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Iheanacho is currently Leicester City, a club he joined from Manchester City in 2017. While he has had some top moments at the King Power Stadium, his time at the club has been mostly underwhelming.

And Eguavoen believes the reason for Iheanacho’s struggles is because he does not play the same role for Nigeria and Leicester.

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers prefers to play the Nigerian up front with another striker as he believes that is the only way to get the best out of him.

However, Iheanacho plays as an attacking midfielder or behind the striker in the Super Eagles team. But Eguavoen insists that the disparity in the roles he plays for both teams has not helped his progress.

“Iheanacho is okay, but the only little problem is in Leicester, he is playing a different position,” Eguavoen told Elegbete TV. 

“He comes to Nigeria, he plays in a different position.”

“I think the sooner he settles for one position, I think the better for him,” Eguavoen added.

Iheanacho is expected to be part of Eguavoen’s Super Eagles squad for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.