Sevilla coach Garcia Pimienta has backed Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho to start scoring goals for the club once he fully adapts, Soccernet.ng reports.
Iheanacho joined in the summer following the expiration of his contract at Leicester City. Due to the glimpses of brilliance that the 27-year-old Super Eagles striker showed in England, he was expected to play an important role for Sevilla this season.
However, it has not played out that way as Iheanacho has struggled to pin down a starting shirt at the club. His start in Sevilla's 2-1 win over Valladolid was his second after seven La Liga fixtures.
Iheanacho was hauled off after 62 minutes, with Suso replacing him in the striker's position. At the time the Nigerian striker was taken off, it was still 1-1. But Ejuke scored the winner to make sure Sevilla ran out 2-1 winners.
After the game, coach Pimienta was quite lenient in his assessment of Iheanacho. He believes the former Manchester City man is putting a lot of effort into his game, but he needs to adapt to Spanish football.
“I think he's (Iheanacho) put a lot of effort and intensity into it, but he hasn't been very good in front of goal, but this is a process. You have to adapt to the position, I think Iheanacho has done a good job,” Pimienta said.
“But he is a boy who has to give us something, because he has a lot of quality, he has a lot of experience in the Premier League and he has shown the quality he has.
“He has to apply himself like everyone else and show the level he has, which I am convinced he will give.”
Sevilla's next game is against Athletic Bilbao, and Iheanacho will be looking to get a starting shirt again as Isaac Romero is yet to recover from his recent injury.
