Sevilla’s manager, García Pimienta, has urged Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho to raise his game ahead of their La Liga encounter with Real Valladolid. Despite joining the Andalusian club from Leicester City during the summer transfer window, Iheanacho has struggled to make his mark, having featured in three matches, only one as a starter.
Iheanacho was brought in to help fill the void left by Moroccan forward Youssef En-Nesyri, who departed for Fenerbahçe.
However, the 27-year-old has yet to register a goal for his new club, prompting questions about his form and fitness.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming fixture, Pimienta addressed the situation surrounding the Nigerian international, emphasizing the need for improvement.
“Kelechi is a player who has proven himself. The other day in Vitoria, he came on without warming up, and it’s always difficult to adjust to the intensity of the game in those conditions,” Pimienta explained. “He has to take a step forward because he has the quality to do well in Seville.”
While acknowledging Iheanacho’s talent and past performances, the Sevilla coach made it clear that more is expected from him if he is to establish himself as a key player in the squad.
Pimienta’s comments come at a time when pressure is mounting on the Nigerian to deliver, especially with Sevilla struggling for consistency in the league.
Iheanacho, who was a standout performer for Leicester City before their relegation from the Premier League, was seen as a significant acquisition for Sevilla.
However, his slow start has raised concerns among fans, who had hoped he would seamlessly transition into La Liga and become a reliable goal scorer for the club.
The Nigerian’s lack of form has left a gap in Sevilla’s attack, with the club searching for a dependable forward to lead their charge in domestic and European competitions.
As Iheanacho works to regain his sharpness, Pimienta’s call for improvement could serve as motivation for the forward to find his feet and prove his worth in Spain.
With Sevilla preparing to host Real Valladolid, the upcoming match offers Iheanacho an opportunity to make a statement and potentially secure his place in the starting lineup.
Pimienta’s public backing of the player indicates that the coach still believes in the striker’s ability to succeed, but the message is clear—performances must improve.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Iheanacho to see if he can rise to the challenge and make the impact Sevilla had envisioned when they signed him.
