Rodgers – Iheanacho has long-term Leicester future

Brendan Rodgers says Kelechi Iheanacho still has a long-term future at Leicester despite his lack of first-team minutes this season. Nigeria international Iheanacho has largely underwhelmed since joining Leicester from Manchester City during the summer of 2017 and he has yet to feature in the Premier League this season – only making the match-day squad for one of the Foxes last eight top-flight games.
The 23-year-old did mark his first start of the season during Leicester’s midweek 3-1 victory at Burton Albion in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup by scoring the opening goal, while he also netted from the bench in the previous round against Luton.
The form of Jamie Vardy means Iheanacho is unlikely to get too many opportunities in the Premier League – unless the former England international picks up an injury or suspension – but Rodgers believes the Nigerian still has a future at the King Power Stadium in both the short and long term. “Yes [he does have a future long term],” Rodgers told reporters ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace. “He’s very much a part of our squad. He trains like an animal every day, he’s so good. So I know if need to use him at the weekend, he’ll be ready.”
Iheanacho could certainly have a big role to play for Leicester as the season develops as, other than Vardy, he is the only recognised striker within Rodgers’ squad.
The forward has only netted four goals in 51 Premier League appearances since moving to the King Power, with his last top-flight strike coming in the 3-1 home victory over Huddersfield in September 2018.
If he does have to step up to the plate in the absence of Vardy at some stage of the season then he will certainly have big boots to fill, as the 32-year-old currently leads the scoring charts in the Premier League, with his hat-trick against Southampton last week taking his total for the season to nine.