The Manchester City manager had called on the youngster
to prove why he has been afforded such a prominent role
in the Blues' squad this season, and it took him a matter
of hours
Kelechi Iheanacho had been told to prove why Manuel
Pellegrini has put so much faith in him ahead of
Saturday's FA Cup clash at Norwich, and the 19-year-old
wasted no time in showing exactly why Manchester City
fans want to see so much more of him.
Pellegrini has admitted that at least part of the reason he
did not seek a replacement for either Edin Dzeko or Stevan
Jovetic last summer was because of how highly he rates
Iheanacho.
Not that that had been apparent to many City fans so far
this season. The manager's declarations on Friday -
reaffirming the belief he has in the prodigiously talented
forward - prompted disbelief among those who believe the
Nigerian has not been given anywhere near the amount of
opportunities he should have this season.
Indeed, this was his first start in any competition since he
made his first full Premier League debut against the same
opposition back in October.
He had shone in patches before that, most notably with
his last-minute strike against Crystal Palace in September
which earned an important away victory. His first City
start came against the Eagles in the League Cup, and after
scoring one and setting up two he was a shoe-in for his
league start against the Canaries in the next game.
But in truth he did not live up to expectations that day and
he has endured a frustrating couple of months since then;
his only significant minutes came in heavy defeats to
Liverpool and Stoke City, when the games were beyond
doubt and his team-mates beyond help by the time he
came on.
If he had not become frustrated with a lack of
opportunities in recent weeks then City fans certainly had.
Had he not started here there would have been something
approaching uproar among a significant number of
supporters around the world.
But start he did, and alongside Sergio Aguero rather than
in the Argentine's place. The two linked up well, with
Kelechi tending to drop into a deeper role, showing signs
that a 4-4-2 could be an option in certain matches in the
future.
The much-maligned formation is enjoying a surge in
popularity this season - thanks in no small part to
Leicester City and Watford's swashbuckling approaches -
and City, who have looked helpless on the road too many
times already but were rarely troubled here, may have
found an alternative.
The strike duo were at their best 30 minutes into the first
half when Aguero, who had already danced through the
Norwich defence to score the opener, this time elected to
square the ball to his young team-mate. Despite having
little time or space in which to work, he opened his body
up and steered the ball past John Ruddy.
Given his lack of opportunities - regardless of what
Pellegrini says - in recent weeks, it was a timely reminder
of not only his talent but the role he can play between
now and the end of the season.
With Samir Nasri out injured there is a real possibility
Iheanacho could be added to City's Champions League
squad in February.
He now has goals in each of the three competitions in
which he has played this season, and, given the
confidence he displayed moments before being withdrawn
when he turned his man and sent a curling effort just over
the crossbar from 20 yards, he would probably fancy
another in Europe if given the opportunity.
At least fans would have the opportunity to see it; those
who were not among the travelling City support at Carrow
Road on Saturday struggled to find even radio coverage of
the match, meaning they missed out on another
impressive performance by the man hoped to represent
the club's new generation.
Those in attendance, however, saw out comfortable 3-0
victory singing about a Wembley return. If they get there,
Kelechi Iheanacho could be in for a starring role along the
way.
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