Brendan Rogers breaks silence on Super Eagles star’s lack of playing time

The Super Eagles star has only made one start for the Foxes this season in 13 domestic league games.

Kelechi Iheanacho’s lack of playing time has been fully explained by Leicester manager Brendan Rogers.

The former Liverpool manager claims that he prefers Patson Daka, owing to his pace and his outstanding control with the ball.

The Nigerian attacker apparently has not played enough under the Irish coach. However,  Rogers has now admitted that this is a result of his ideal position on the field, which needs him to play beside or assist a striker.

However, Rogers seldom employs this formation since he [Rogers] prefers the 4-5-1 formation over the 4-4-2 formation, which the 26-year-old can perform well in.

The 49-year-old boss, speaking in a press conference, finally addressed Iheanacho’s lack of game.

“I think it’s because of Patson and his pressing and how he has done when he’s played. Obviously none of our strikers have scored a great amount of goals. I put that down to other aspects of their game, rather than them not finishing.” he said as quoted by Leicestermercury.

In their defeat to Fulham, the former Celtic manager employed his regular 4-5-1 which had only Jamie Vardy upfront and had the ex-Manchester City player come in as a replacement for Luke Thomas so has to play alongside Vardy.

“He (Iheanacho) has played better in a two, rather than up there on his own. Kel’s a specific type of striker. When I have gone for pace, which I normally have through the central area, it’s been Patson or Vards who I’ve played.

“Obviously if ever I’ve needed to swivel it to two up front, then he’s been a part of that. But he’s a really good option for us, whether he begins on the bench or he starts. Sometimes Kel comes into the game and is amazing and then he’ll do something in the same game which is not so good.

“But what I always get from him is 100 per cent commitment. I’m always pretty sure, whether he starts or comes off the bench, he always gives his very best.” he went on to elaborate.

However in their 1-0 FA Cup victory against Gillingham, Iheanacho played upfront with Jamie Vardy in a 4-4-2 formation which he ended his goal drought scoring the only goal in the tie