Former Super Eagles defender Ifeanyi Udeze on Monday expressed belief that Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has leapt to the defense of striker Kelechi Iheanacho for his indifferent form so far this season by blaming the player's club teammates in midfield.


"As a striker you run out and run in to unsettle the defenders as Jamie Vardy does," Udeze said on Brila FM on the subject of Rohr saying Iheanacho's form was as a result of the lack of supplies from the club's midfielders.

"The striker determines how he receives the ball from the midfielders. That's what you learn in trainings.

"Maybe the coach (Rohr) understands little things demoralize him (Iheanacho) so he puts the blame on others but behind will tell him how he should improve.

Football evolves so he (Iheanacho) needs to adapt as well," the onetime West Bromwich Albion left back added.

On the effect of communication between Iheanacho and his Leicester teammates, Udeze stated:

"You're professionals and should not necessarily be friends because you train everyday. Iheanacho needs to learn how to find space. He's a good player but just needs to learn new tricks.

On Ogenyi Onazi making s return to the Eagles fold, Udeze insists his current form is paramount in his being part of the team again.

"He's doing well at Trabzonspor. He has shed weight. Rohr can still recall him, what matters is his form.

"A real professional coach will tell you that you are not in his plans like in club football, unless something is happening in the national team that we don't know about," Udeze concluded.

Onazi assisted fellow Nigerian Anthony Nwakaeme's goal but conceded an own goal in Sunday's 2-2 draw away to Besiktas in the Turkish Super Lig.

Izuchukwu Okosi