The arrival of Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho at Sevilla was met with excitement, but his adjustment to life in La Liga has not gone as smoothly as expected.
The 27-year-old forward has struggled to find his footing in Spain, and head coach García Pimienta has now offered some insight into the situation.
As Sevilla prepares to face Real Valladolid at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, Pimienta addressed Iheanacho’s slow start, pointing to his last outing, where the striker was brought on without a proper warm-up.
Despite his impressive track record in the Premier League, the Super Eagles star has struggled to secure a regular spot in the starting lineup. With just one start and two games as an unused substitute, his integration into the team has been gradual.
Sevilla form increases pressure on Kelechi Iheanacho
During the pre-match press conference ahead of the Real Valladolid clash, Pimienta spoke openly about Kelechi Iheanacho’s situation, expressing his belief in the Nigeria international.
The Sevilla boss however noted that, in order to justify the club's investment, Iheanacho will need to raise his game.
“Whoever plays up front tomorrow has to do well,” he said. “Kelechi is a proven player.
“The other day he had a difficult game because he came on without warming up. Just like the rest, he has to take a step forward because he has the quality to do it at Sevilla.”
The club's struggles this season have done little to help Iheanacho’s tepid start: with just one win, two draws, and three losses, the club currently sits 15th in the La Liga standings, making the upcoming fixture crucial for both player and team.
The seven-time Europa League winners are desperate for a turnaround, and Pimienta, who is under increasing pressure, is banking on players like Iheanacho to rise to the occasion and help get the club’s season back on track.
