MY ACCOUNT
Leicester gave their Premier League survival bid a timely boost with Saturday’s comeback victory over Wolves.
Goals from Kelechi Iheanacho and Timothy Castagne helped the Foxes secure a first win since February 11, meaning Dean Smith’s side travel to fellow strugglers Leeds in high spirits this evening.
Iheanacho’s penalty was his eighth goal of the season in all competitions, meaning he now sits only two goals shy of Harvey Barnes in the club’s scoring charts.
Ahead of tonight’s crunch contest, we consider whether Iheanacho could be the key man in the East Midlanders’ fight against the drop.
Versatile option
Against Wolves, Iheanacho lined up in an attacking midfield role where he played just behind the experienced figure of Jamie Vardy.
It is a relatively new position for the Nigeria star, who usually occupies a traditional centre forward berth — not that the man himself has any concerns.
After Saturday’s win, Iheanacho said: “At this point, I don’t mind where I play. I just need to help my team to get the points that we need.
“If I play up front or No10, or even on the wing, it doesn’t matter. As long as we stick together as a team.”
If the 26-year-old did feel uncomfortable in his new position, he did not show it.
Iheanacho took three shots, completed both of his attempted take-ons and boasted a pass success rate of over 80%.
Finding form
Iheanacho’s cool penalty against the men from Molineux — doing the honours in place of an injured Vardy — marked his second goal in as many games.
In a 3-1 defeat to his former club Manchester City, the forward tapped home a parried shot to reduce the Foxes’ arrears and almost had a second when his low strike hit the base of the post.
New Leicester boss Smith has every right to be excited about his 42-cap international netting in consecutive games, too.
Back in the second half of 2020-21, Iheanacho enjoyed the best goalscoring run of his career when bagging an incredible 11 goals in 11 Premier League games.
Starved of minutes
Interestingly, that purple patch came at a time when games were being played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, it also came during a campaign where the marksman started 25 times. Last season, that tally reduced to 22. This term, he has only played 10 Foxes games from the first whistle.
It is hard for any player to hit new heights when opportunities are restricted — a point acknowledged by former Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers back in February.
He explained: “He’s a player that’s been really unfortunate. Jamie Vardy is a legend of the Premier League and this club and since I came in here, he’s been sort of the focal point really of the team.
“But of course, time moves on and it’s about managing Jamie now.
“For Kelechi, with the players now that we have in, it really suits his game, how he links things and so on. He’s at a prime age, so this can be his moment.”
Time to shine
Iheanacho ranks inside the Premier League’s top 20% of forwards for shots taken, assists and possessions won in the attacking third per 90 minutes this term.
Those range of metrics showcase an attacker who contributes in several areas and has far more to his game than just scoring goals.
But as has been clear from his early days at the Etihad, Iheanacho’s biggest strength is his ability to put the ball in the back of the net.
With confidence sky-high, now is the time for Leicester to make him their main man.
