Does Iheanacho deserve more playing time? Sevilla boss gives verdict

Published on by Toyosi Afolayan

Sevilla coach Garcia Pimienta has expressed satisfaction with Kelechi Iheanacho’s progress, adding that he expects the Super Eagles forward to see increased playing time in the near future.

Since his summer arrival at Sevilla, Kelechi Iheanacho has faced a challenging start in Spain. Despite showing flashes of brilliance during his time at Leicester City, Iheanacho’s transition to La Liga has not yielded the immediate impact fans had anticipated.

The 27-year-old has yet to secure a starting role under head coach García Pimienta, struggling to find his rhythm within the team. In Sevilla’s ten league games this season, Iheanacho has featured in just five, with limited minutes and no goals or assists to his name.

Does Iheanacho deserve more playing time? Sevilla boss gives verdict
Photo by IMAGO

His initial adaptation has been slower than expected, further complicated by Sevilla’s own struggles. With only three wins in La Liga this season, the team currently sits 13th on the table, making their upcoming match at Espanyol crucial to regaining momentum.

Pimienta offers support for Iheanacho

Despite the forward’s lack of game time, Pimienta remains optimistic about Iheanacho’s future at the club. The Sevilla coach expressed confidence in the Nigerian international, acknowledging his professionalism and determination on the training ground.

“I’m happy. The other day, he was going to come on to the pitch. But Suso’s injury happened, and that was a huge impact on us because he’s training well. The lad deserves to play more minutes,” Pimienta commented before the Espanyol clash.

 “The other day, even though the result wasn’t good, I was going to put him in.”

A goal would be key for Iheanacho to secure more regular playing time, as he aims to make a lasting impact in La Liga and repay the club’s confidence in him.

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Toyosi Afolayan

Toyosi Afolayan is a sports journalist who breathes life into the games we love. He loves to combine insightful analysis with historical background, creating a richer understanding of sports. Afolayan's expertise ranges from captivating narratives to live broadcasts, captivating audiences across platforms like Ojbsport, AllNigeriaSoccer, TVC Entertainment, Bounce Networks, Kwara TV, ICIR, EaglesTracker, and NFF TV. His background in History and International Studies adds depth, revealing the connections between sports, politics, and national identity.