Kelechi Iheanacho has revealed the mental suffering he experienced when he was experiencing a tough time at Leicester City.
The 24-year-old Nigerian striker who used to be one of the most promising youngsters in the world failed to score a goal for Leicester City between September 2018 and September 2019.
It was so bad for Kelechi Iheanacho that whenever he plays, fans of the club would want him out of the pitch. But now, he has become a delight to most fans of the club.
After 12 months without scoring a goal, Kelechi Iheanacho crossed into the 2020-2021 season as a changed player who has been banging in the goals especially in the last 11 games.
In the last 11 games, Iheanacho has scored 11 goals in all competitions. He has scored a total of 8 goals in 18 Premier League games. While in all competitions this season, the Nigerian football star has scored 14 goals, provided 5 assists in 30 games.
Due to his improved form, the 24-year-old striker has been awarded a contract extension. His new contract with Leicester City will keep him at the club for three more years.
Kelechi Iheanacho is expected to feature against Southampton on Sunday, April 18, in the semi-final stage of this season’s FA Cup semi-final. Ahead of the game, Iheanacho described his past form as a “difficult period”.
The striker said: “It was a difficult, difficult period but that belief is still there,” he said. “Sometimes it just won’t click, whatever you do. Even if you try to do the right thing it won’t click. Then when the wrong things happen you lose your head.
“You keep trying and trying and trying and still it won’t come – and you think you’re losing it.
“Well at that stage that’s when you have to believe and have faith that no matter how bad it is and even when it’s getting worse, something good is waiting for you.
“Even in the worst times, something is being prepared for you. But that period is gone now so I’m focusing on this one now and I want to keep going the way I have been.
“Even if this hadn’t come I would have kept going but the good days are here so I want to keep them going now…
“Mentality-wise I need to be ready every single game because that is what is everyone is looking at. I need to be mentally ready every game to make sure I help my teammates and do my best for the club.”
We love @67Kelechi 🙌
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 16, 2021
Get to know the @NGSuperEagles & @LCFC striker a little bit better ahead of the #EmiratesFACup semi-finals 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/zNs1k8X0dM
