Puel Charges Iheanacho To Replicate FA Cup Form In The EPL

Leicester City boss Claude Puel has challenged Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho to replicate his goal scoring form in the Premier league just as the FA Cup form

Since his £25 million move from Manchester City in the summer to Leicester, Iheanacho has struggled to fit in into the first team.

The 21-year-old has not scored a goal since making nine appearances.

But he scored both goals as Leicester overcame Fleetwood 2-0 in the FA Cup Third-Round replay last week and is expected to lead the line again at Peterborough in the Fourth Round this Saturday.

Puel believes Iheanacho has been hampered by an injury early in the season, and had lost some confidence as he struggled to break into the team.

But he hopes his goals will rejuvenate his self belief and help him start to make an impact in the Premier League.

“I think it was fantastic for him and the squad, that he scored two quality goals,” Puel told Leicester Mercury.

“I was happy with his performance from the beginning of that game. He showed his quality and his use of the ball – and he scored two good goals.

“It is good for his confidence. It was a good performance and I hope it gives him some consistency and confidence.

“It will do him good. It was important he gave a good response and now he has to continue this hard work. Any game time he can score a goal it is a good thing.

“I think Kelechi has kept a very positive attitude on the training ground, without game time and sometimes not being in the squad.

“He works hard on the pitch and this is the most important thing for a young player because sometimes he may get frustrated and disappointed.

“It is important to always keep a positive attitude and outlook and continue his hard work, especially for a young player because they must be patient to get game time. He is a good example.

“Sometimes it is difficult to give all the game time to some of the players because, for example, we have six strikers in his position.

“Without a good balance in the squad, it is difficult to manage all these players and continue to improve them.

“It will be important in this transfer window to find this good balance and I hope Kelechi will get more game time in the future.”