Sevilla head coach García Pimienta has issued a rallying call to Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho, urging the Nigerian striker to step up and deliver in the club’s upcoming crucial match.
With Sevilla preparing to face Real Valladolid at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, Pimienta stressed the importance of everyone pulling their weight, particularly the forwards, Footballrover reports.
The coach made his expectations clear while speaking to the club’s official website: whoever gets the nod to lead the attack must deliver.
Iheanacho, who joined Sevilla over the summer as a replacement for Youssef En-Nesyri following his move to Fenerbahçe, has had a slow start in La Liga.
📋 Our 24-man squad for #SevillaFCRealValladolid ⚪️🔴 pic.twitter.com/TFZrSVV0k5
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) September 24, 2024
Despite arriving with high expectations, the Nigerian has made just one start and remained an unused substitute in two games so far.
Although Spanish forward Isaac Romero has been the favored choice for coach Pimienta in the attacking role, the 24-year-old has struggled to find his scoring touch this season, despite playing in almost every match.
This situation presents an opportunity for Iheanacho, who made a substitute appearance in Sevilla’s last outing against Deportivo Alavés.
Unfortunately, he was unable to halt the team’s slide into defeat, marking their third loss of the season.
Speaking ahead of their clash with Real Valladolid, Pimienta expressed confidence in what Iheanacho got to offer but made it clear that the Super Eagles star needs to elevate his game.
“Whoever plays up front tomorrow has to do well. Kelechi is a proven player. The other day he had a difficult game because he came on without warming up. Just like the rest, he has to take a step forward because he has the quality to do it at Sevilla,” Pimienta told the club’s media.
Sevilla’s rough start to the season has certainly complicated Iheanacho’s integration into the squad.
The team has only managed one win in six matches, along with two draws and three losses, leaving them sitting 15th in La Liga with just five points.
📜 PREVIEW | Looking to bounce back after defeat last time out. ⚪️🔴
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) September 24, 2024
With pressure mounting on Pimienta and his team, turning things around against Valladolid could be crucial, both for Sevilla’s season and for Iheanacho’s future at the club.
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