Manchester City wonderkid Kelechi Iheanacho has revealed he is learning from on-form Citizen striker Sergio Aguero.
Iheanacho, who signed a new contract last week tying him to the Manchester club until 2021, scored 14 goals in 35 appearances for City last season.
The Nigeria forward, who was the English giants’ third-highest scorer in all competitions, behind Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne last term, was a late substitute in City’s 2-1 opening day win over Sunderland. He came from the bench to help the Pep Guardiola’s beat Stoke 4-1 at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.
And the 19-year-old has spoken of his admiration for Aguero, who has scored four Premier League goals in two fixtures, saying he enjoys playing alongside the 28-year-old Argentina forward.
““I think Sergio is a great striker, everyone knows that,” the UAE 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup winner was quoted by ESPN FC as saying on Tuesday ahead of their return leg UEFA Champions League second leg fixture against Steaua Bucharest at home on Wednesday. City won the first leg 5-0 in Romania last week.
“He has a great quality. I am learning from him as well, it’s not any pressure for me to play.
“I play alongside him. I will keep working, whenever I get my chance I will do my best for the team, work with the team. It’s not any pressure that he’s in good form this season because he always does very well.”
Iheanacho hailed the character in the team, saying Guadiola had brought a winning mentality to the side.
“Everyone is working together as a team. As a striker you need to defend as well so it’s not just about scoring goals,” he told the club’s official website.
He added, “I haven’t had any private discussions with Pep. He has the final decision on the team and I have to work hard to be in his team.
“We have a target as a team but we don’t have individual targets. We’re working hard together to achieve the team’s targets.
“I’m very happy to sign a new contract with the club. I’m ready to work hard. Pep brought his own style. It’s going to look easy on the pitch when you have lots of players to pass to.”
Iheanacho, who has overtaken Ivory Coast’s Wilfried Bony in the pecking order at City, is expected to make his first start of the season as Guardiola is set to rotate his players.
Iheanacho, who signed a new contract last week tying him to the Manchester club until 2021, scored 14 goals in 35 appearances for City last season.
The Nigeria forward, who was the English giants’ third-highest scorer in all competitions, behind Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne last term, was a late substitute in City’s 2-1 opening day win over Sunderland. He came from the bench to help the Pep Guardiola’s beat Stoke 4-1 at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.
And the 19-year-old has spoken of his admiration for Aguero, who has scored four Premier League goals in two fixtures, saying he enjoys playing alongside the 28-year-old Argentina forward.
““I think Sergio is a great striker, everyone knows that,” the UAE 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup winner was quoted by ESPN FC as saying on Tuesday ahead of their return leg UEFA Champions League second leg fixture against Steaua Bucharest at home on Wednesday. City won the first leg 5-0 in Romania last week.
“He has a great quality. I am learning from him as well, it’s not any pressure for me to play.
“I play alongside him. I will keep working, whenever I get my chance I will do my best for the team, work with the team. It’s not any pressure that he’s in good form this season because he always does very well.”
Iheanacho hailed the character in the team, saying Guadiola had brought a winning mentality to the side.
“Everyone is working together as a team. As a striker you need to defend as well so it’s not just about scoring goals,” he told the club’s official website.
He added, “I haven’t had any private discussions with Pep. He has the final decision on the team and I have to work hard to be in his team.
“We have a target as a team but we don’t have individual targets. We’re working hard together to achieve the team’s targets.
“I’m very happy to sign a new contract with the club. I’m ready to work hard. Pep brought his own style. It’s going to look easy on the pitch when you have lots of players to pass to.”
Iheanacho, who has overtaken Ivory Coast’s Wilfried Bony in the pecking order at City, is expected to make his first start of the season as Guardiola is set to rotate his players.
0 comments: