Sevilla’s head coach, García Pimienta, has expressed confidence in Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho, despite the player’s limited appearances since joining the Spanish club this summer from Leicester City.
Iheanacho, who signed for Sevilla for free during the transfer window, has featured only twice for the team this season, accumulating a mere 75 minutes of playing time. The 27-year-old forward has also been an unused substitute in Sevilla’s last two matches against Girona and Getafe.
Speaking on Thursday at a press conference ahead of Sevilla’s Friday LaLiga matchweek six game against Deportivo Alaves, Pimienta addressed Iheanacho’s situation.
“He [Iheanacho] has been with us all week and is doing well,” Pimienta stated. “He didn’t play last week because he had only recently got back from international duty and was tired from all the flying,” he said.
The coach went on to praise Iheanacho’s abilities and potential impact on the team: “But he’s a great player and we have full faith in him. He brings quality and can take his chance when it comes.”
Pimienta also acknowledged the challenges of integrating Iheanacho into the squad without the benefit of pre-season training. “It is a shame that we didn’t have him during pre-season, but I have no doubt that we will see the best of him very soon,” he added.
