Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini says Iheanacho has bright future at the club after his brace

MANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini has predicted that Nigerian youngster Kelechi Iheanacho will be an important part of the club's future under his successor Pep Guardiola who is due to take over at the end of the season.

 

Yesterday, Kelechi scored his first brace in the English Premiership, finding the back of the net twice as Manchester City beat Stoke City 4-0. In spectacular form yesterday, Iheanacho also won a penalty for Manchester City, helping to move the club into third in the Premier League.

 

Mr Pellegrini said: "Stoke is fighting for nothing but nobody wants to lose games. It was important to score the first goal.

 

“Kelechi Iheanacho is an important young player with a lot of future. He scores lots of goals but he is not just a penalty box player and I am sure that his role in this team will be very important.”

 

Also, Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, added: “Kelechi’s been brilliant, he turned up last pre-season somewhat unknown it’s fair to say and he has really worked hard and got stuck in. The manager has had a lot of faith in him and he shows what a good squad we have got now.

 

Iheanacho said: “I am very pleased and happy to score goals today. I thank my team mates, the manager and the fans. I am improving a lot but I need to work even harder to show my qualities.”