Manchester City of England fast-rising whiz kid, Kelechi Iheanacho has declared that he is ready to step into the shoes of suspended striker, Sergio Aguero and make an impact against Manchester United this weekend.
Though many a pundit would believe the Manchester derby might be a tough nut to crack for Iheanacho, who was on the bench for City’s last match on account of still recovering from a knock, the Super Eagles youngster says he is ready to a good job if called upon by the coach.
All fingers are pointing in the direction of Iheanacho taking Aguero’s place for the game, which could give the UAE 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup most valuable player the chance of replicating the wonder goal he scored for the Eagles against Tanzania last weekend.
Though Iheanacho is staying modest in the impact he is hoping to enact should he get the call to star against United, the former Columbus Crew of America starlet says he is raring to go for Saturday’s derby at Old Trafford
It is yet to be seen if Pep Guardiola will put faith in Iheanacho as he faces his fierce rival, Jose Mourinho, for the first time in England, as both City and United have enjoyed perfect starts to the season but are the two under threat this weekend.
However, while Iheanacho acknowledged that Aguero’s absence is a big loss for City, the Eagles’ star was quick to state that he can fill the void if Guardiola selects him to play.
“Sergio’s suspension is a big loss but we have a lot of big players to turn to,” Iheanacho told The Sun. “If I get picked I’m going to do my job. Games like this mean a lot and it doesn’t come bigger than a derby.”
Iheanacho, who signed a new deal recently that will keep him at the club until 2021, scored 14 goals in all competitions last season, and finished the campaign with the best goals-to-minute ratio in the Premier League.
Guardiola has been impressed with the quality of Iheanacho, who is enjoying life under the Catalan, describing him as one of the finest coaches in the game, thereby confident that City can achieve their lofty ambitions with the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager at the helm.
Iheanacho said:
“He’s a winner and I believe he will bring success to the club. His arrival has changed the mentality of everyone, because you are starting from scratch. It’s been very good for me. He’s one of the best managers in the world and I am learning a lot from him,”