West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini must take another look at Kelechi Iheanacho.
Tipped to be one of the breakout stars of the Premier League this season, Kelechi Iheanacho’s move to Leicester City did not work out as a success.
Fortunately the Nigerian has a chance to put himself in the shop window at the World Cup, while the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini at West Ham gives him a possible escape route.
Pellegrini was the manager who signed Iheanacho for Manchester City, and gave him his breakthrough at the club.
It was only under Pep Guardiola where Iheanacho’s career stalled, and he was sold last summer for £25 million.
West Ham were chasing Iheanacho last summer, before pulling out of the race due to Slaven Bilic’s doubts, The Evening Standard reported.
Iheanacho did not prove him wrong at Leicester, unable to dislodge Jamie Vardy from the line-up, scoring only eight goals.
If there is a manager who can get the best out of him then it will be Pellegrini, under who he scored 14 goals as a teenager in the 2015/16 season.
The promising striker is only 21-years-old and has an impressive record at international level, with eight goals in 14 games for Nigeria.
Importantly, Pellegrini is keen to work with Iheanacho again, reported by Vanguard Nigeria in 2017 commenting: “The young players I have worked with in the past are the ones I strongly feel we could work together again before I retire, there are many like Iheanacho, but I know he is very happy at Manchester City.”
Iheanacho has since moved on, and he and Pellegrini may now need each other once again.
West Ham would be smart to try and make him a priority addition this summer, especially if they are unable to convince Javier Hernandez to stay.
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