'I know it seems like excuses' - Sevilla coach reveals why Iheanacho is struggling to fit in after summer move

Sevilla manager García Pimienta has shed light on Kelechi Iheanacho's struggles to settle in at the Andalusian club following his summer move.

The former Manchester City and Leicester City star does not enjoy the trust of the manager, with Isaac Romero ahead of the Nigerian in the pecking order of center forwards even through the Spaniard has yet to open his goalscoring account for 2024-2025.

Iheanacho has not figured for Sevilla in their last three matches in La Liga, remaining an unused substitute in back-back games against Real Betis, Barcelona and Espanyol. 

Iheanacho was brought in to replace Youssef En-Nesyri, who joined Fenerbahce, but his performances have yet to meet the club's high standards.

In five games in the Spanish top flight, three of which he started, the 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup Golden Ball winner has neither scored nor assisted. 

García Pimienta has defended Iheanacho, pointing out that the Nigerian has struggled to integrate with the team, largely because he missed a substantial part of pre-season training.

"The boy is training very well. I know it seems like excuses, but he didn't do the pre-season with the team," he said on La Jugada de Canal Sur Radio, via Estadio Deportivo. 

"The team already had our concepts, we have been training together for almost two months. He didn't do the pre-season, it was hard for him to adapt. 

"He has a player in front of him, Isaac, who is clear about it, who gives us a lot of things and who is doing very well. .”

Iheanacho's last appearance for Sevilla was on September 29 against Athletic Club and has not set foot on the pitch since then.

According to Pimienta, he intended to introduce the Super Eagles forward during the second half of the 5-1 loss to Barcelona but had to abandon the plan after Suso picked up an injury.

"And he has to wait for his opportunity. The other day in Barcelona he was ready to go and he was going to go, but we had the problem of Suso's injury and I had to rectify that change.

"But he is capable because he has already shown that he has quality. He will have his opportunities, for sure, I am convinced."

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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