Iheanacho set for sevilla exit amid disappointing stint in la liga

DDM News

Nigerian international Kelechi Iheanacho is reportedly on the verge of leaving Spanish club Sevilla following a disappointing start to life at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.

The 27-year-old forward, who joined Sevilla in the summer from Leicester City, has struggled to make an impact, earning him the harsh label of “laughter from the stands” by sections of the Spanish media.

His underwhelming performances have left the club’s management exploring options to offload him during the January transfer window.

Iheanacho’s career, once full of promise, has been a rollercoaster.

The forward rose to prominence after excelling in Nigeria’s 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning campaign, where he was named the tournament’s best player.

His impressive youth career earned him a move to Manchester City, where he showed flashes of brilliance under Manuel Pellegrini, becoming known for his efficiency in front of goal despite limited playing time.

However, his lack of consistency saw him leave the Etihad Stadium for Leicester City in 2017.

According to information gathered by Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), Iheanacho’s struggles at Sevilla are compounded by a lack of confidence from the coaching staff, and the Spanish media has not held back in their criticism, further intensifying the forward’s woes.

At Leicester, Iheanacho endured a mixed spell, oscillating between moments of brilliance and periods of ineffectiveness.

His standout season came during the 2020/2021 campaign when he scored 19 goals in all competitions, including a string of match-winning performances that helped the Foxes clinch the FA Cup.

Despite this, he struggled to cement his place as a first-choice striker, often playing second fiddle to Jamie Vardy.

When Sevilla came calling in the summer of 2024, it seemed like an opportunity for the Nigerian forward to rejuvenate his career in a new league.

Unfortunately, the move to La Liga has not gone as planned.

Since arriving at Sevilla, Iheanacho has found it difficult to adapt to head coach García Pimienta’s system.

The forward has made just eight league appearances without scoring a goal, failing to justify his selection over Sevilla’s other attacking options.

Pimienta has often opted for Isaac Romero ahead of Iheanacho, highlighting the coach’s lack of confidence in the Nigerian international.

The situation came to a head during Sevilla’s 1-0 win over Celta Vigo, where Iheanacho was substituted at half-time after an uninspiring performance.

His inability to press effectively or influence play drew the ire of Sevilla fans, who criticized his lack of impact.

Reports from Spanish outlet Marca reveal that sporting director Victor Orta is actively seeking to bring in a new striker in January, with Iheanacho identified as the player likely to make way.

Options on the table include a potential loan move or even terminating his contract.

The decline in Iheanacho’s form at the club level contrasts sharply with his performances for the Nigerian national team.

Despite his struggles in Spain, he recently found the back of the net for the Super Eagles during their 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

However, his inability to replicate such form at Sevilla has left both the player and the club increasingly frustrated.

Iheanacho was signed as a replacement for Youssef En-Nesyri, but the forward has failed to live up to expectations.

His performances have been described by local media as “the ultimate indignity,” underscoring the level of disappointment surrounding his stint at the club.

As Sevilla prepares for the January transfer window, it appears increasingly likely that Iheanacho’s time in Spain will be cut short, marking another chapter of unfulfilled potential in the Nigerian forward’s career.

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