Should Iheanacho Leave Leicester This January?

It’s hard for a day to go by without Iheanacho being in the news, especially with the transfer window opening soon.

He joined Leicester City in 2017, but Iheanacho has found life difficult at the King Power Stadium since he left Manchester City.

The 23-year-old has played under four different managers since he joined the Foxes two years ago but has failed to show the potential saw him emerge as the best talent of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The Super Eagles star has only amassed 2,742 minutes of action in his Leicester City career so far. His lack of game time has seen him drop out of the Super Eagles set up.

This season Iheanacho found himself frozen out for for the first 13 league games of the season with the 23-year-old featuring only in the Carabao Cup.

However, things took a turn at the beginning of December as Iheanacho got his first league appearance of the season against Everton.

It was an opportunity the 23-year-old took brilliantly, scoring in the game while he also provided an assist for Jamie Vardy as Leicester came from a goal down to beat the Toffees.

Although he missed the subsequent game against Watford, Leicester City’s manager, Brendan Rodgers gave him another opportunity to stake a claim in his side against Aston Villa- this time as a starter.

The Super Eagles star was brilliant again as he repeated the same feat he performed against Everton. He set up Jamie Vardy’s opening goal while he also had a goal to himself as Foxes ran out 4-1 winners.

He received praises from fans pundits, teammates and critics as he appeared to have finally turned around the corner.

However, he was brought back to reality in the Foxes draw against Norwich City as Brendan Rodgers took him off after just 39 minutes of action in the first half.

While there were insinuations, Rodgers took the decision because of his unsportsmanlike attitude, the former Liverpool manager, revealed it was for tactical reasons.

“It was one where we wanted to go to 4-3-3, and when we moved him out to the side, he’s not a natural winger, he’s not one who can play on that outside,” said Rodgers.

“So I can either leave it and wait until half-time or make the change when I did. And then make the other change on half-time. It was purely a tactical one.

“He was fine. He was disappointed because he’s been terrific for us in the past few games. He understands, he knows it was nothing personal, just the flow of the game needed to change.

With Rodgers saying this, it leads to the question if Iheanacho’s long term future is still at Leicester. Although Rodgers has come out to say he doesn’t want the 23-year-old to leave, a move away from East Midlands will benefit Iheanacho.

While he has enjoyed mini-resurgence in recent weeks, it is obvious he’s not going to get enough opportunities if he decides to stay, and that’s not good for a 23-year-old trying to get his career back on track.

Judging from Rodgers comment and Leicester’s squad this season, it is clear Iheanacho is behind Jamie Vardy, Ashley Barnes, Ayoze Perez and even Demarai Gray.

So why stay, hoping to get an opportunity that may never come. Iheanacho career has regressed, but he is still at an age where he can get it back on track.

However, he will need to play regularly for that to happen, and that means leaving Leicester City. Before his first appearance against Everton, Iheanacho missed out on Foxes matchday squad on eight occasions.

Aston Villa are said to be interested in the Nigerian international, and it is a move that could benefit him. Although Dean Smith’s side are a step below Leicester, a move to Villa Park will guarantee Iheanacho more playing time, and that will help rebuild his confidence.

The 23-year-old is currently at crossroads and needs to make a decision that will benefit him in the longterm. He has lost his place in the Super Eagles squad, but he can still regain his spot.

He can start the process by quitting the Foxes at the turn of the year, and move to a club that will guarantee him more playing time.