18-year old Kelechi Iheanacho has been at it again in pre-season and plans on forcing his way into the first-team picture at City.
Kelechi registered an assist and bagged himself a goal in an impressive display against Serie A Roma on Tuesday and has set his sights on a place in next season’s squad.
With Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic seemingly surplus to requirements and Wilfried Bony currently still in Manchester due to illness, there appears to be a place for Iheanacho and he intends to take it with both hands.
He said: “This season I hope to be here. I’ve been training hard with them during pre-season and I hope this is the time for me to break into the first team.
“The manager has promised me nothing. He’s just told me to keep working hard every day. So as of yet I don’t know what my chance is, but I pray that it will come soon. I would like to play against Real Madrid now.”
Kelechi came into his own in last year’s tour of the United States and was tipped for big things until some work permit problems stunted his progress momentarily.
He was then injured immediately in a UEFA Europa League tie with Schalke for the EDS in his first game in England before shining for the youth side in the final stage of the season.
He scored in the FA Youth Cup final second leg against Chelsea, bagged the winner in the Premier League U21 International Cup against Porto’s ‘B’ side before hitting a superb double against United at the CFA.
“Last season, everything was OK – it was just about getting a work permit but everything is sorted out now.” He continued.
With Aguero still resting after Copa America commitments and Bony still in Manchester, Kelechi may well get the nod in the season opener at West Brom, which would a huge accomplishment.
