Sevilla manager García Pimienta has highlighted the challenges Kelechi Iheanacho has faced in La Liga since joining the club, attributing the forward's recent struggles in part to his time with the Super Eagles.
The Sevilla boss criticised the Nigeria national team interim coach, Austin Eguavoen, for his decision not to play Iheanacho during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda in September.
He believes that this lack of game time while on international duty has significantly hindered the striker’s effectiveness on the pitch, slowing down his development.
The former Manchester City star remained on the bench for both matches as Eguavoen opted to rely on Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface to spearhead the attack, with Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi preferred off the bench.
Iheanacho's struggles in La Liga with Sevilla
Speaking ahead of his team's match against Athletic Club at San Mamés, Pimienta said, “(Iheanacho) has quality, but he came a month late, training individually. He is adapting.
“The two weeks with the national team, in which he did not play, did not do him any good.”
“We have to give him confidence. He is a quality footballer for everything he has done and sooner rather than later we have to see him at his best. He has the capacity and quality for it.”
Since joining Sevilla, Iheanacho has struggled to make an impact, with Pimienta expressing disappointment in his recent performance against Real Valladolid during the La Liga clash on Tuesday at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.
Despite being given his second start, Iheanacho failed to contribute effectively, prompting Pimienta to substitute him in the 61st minute as the team searched for a crucial goal.
To date, Iheanacho has played four matches for Sevilla without registering a goal or an assist, further deepening his challenging form.
