What if the script gets flipped. What if, a Nigerian kid can light things up, and bring some excitement into the world of football, and give Gotze some competition for the most exciting young talent in the world? What if Kelechi Jeremiah Iheanacho can really explode next season?
How many times has the hype been just that....hype.
Kelechi was a damn superstar at the under-17 world cup, and was a total class apart from his peers. Which naturally lead many to believe that he really is not that young. That may be true. But if you cannot prove it with hard evidence, then your mouth must be clenched. He's a nineteen year old who is technically gifted and extremely astute at this football thing already.
However, as he found in the under-21 world cup and with playing at senior level, it's a whole different ball game. It's not the pre-season level, but very fast paced and intense ball where things have to be done twice as fast as they are at the junior level. These are all doubts about whether or not this Kelechi can cope at the higher level. We can talk all we want about this, but if you don't throw him into the damn pit to see how he fares, then how the hell will we ever know for sure?
I HOPE with my biased self that he is great and can be Nigeria's next superstar. There will never be another Okocha, but Kelechi can be his own player. In order for there to be a chance for this to happen, is to play the damn man. City's other buy, Sterling, was thrown in and he took his chance by the scruff of the neck. That is what Pellegrini needs to do. You just have to roll that dice, and see what the kid can do when playing with the big boys.
City may not have Dzeko or Jovetic, and unless they are looking for others to support Aguero, it looks like Kelechi may be a tertiary option in attack. And I for one am intrigued just to see how he can fit into City's team and what he'll be able to bring. And with Chelsea and Mourinho confident on being even better next season, a key component in claiming back the title would be that unknown prospect that could light up the league.
Less hype and talk...let's see the kid play and what he can do.
HH
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