Kelechi Iheanacho: Failed ‘Missionary Journey’ to Spain? 

Since moving to Spain to team up with Europa League king, Sevilla, Super Eagles forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, is yet to register a goal to his name in the La Liga five months after joining from Premier League side, Leicester City. As a result, the Nigerian may be returning to English second tier football-EPL, where he struggled for first team shirt with the Foxes last season just five months after joining Los Nervionenses. Championship strugglers, West Brom, may therefore be the next destination for the former U17 World Cup winner  

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aving failed to score in all the nine La Liga games he had appeared in so far for Sevilla, the management of the seven-time Europa League winners are losing patience with Kelechi Iheanacho and are ready to ship out the Nigerian international when the January transfer window opens. 

The Nigerian international joined Sevilla last summer following the expiration of his contract at Leicester City, marking the end of a seven-year stint with the Foxes.

However, Iheanacho has endured a disappointing start to life in Spain, failing to score in all nine of his La Liga appearances for the one-time Spanish champions.

According to a report from Football Espana, Sevilla’s Sporting Director, Victor Orta, is actively seeking a new striker, and Iheanacho could be sold to facilitate the club’s attacking overhaul.

After finishing 14th in La Liga during the 2023-2024 season, Sevilla brought in Iheanacho with hopes that he would contribute significantly to the team’s success.

So far, the Nigerian forward has underperformed, failing to score in the league and registering only three goals in the Copa del Rey.

This lack of output has left Sevilla struggling offensively, with the team managing just 18 goals in total this season. Iheanacho has not been able to provide the goals Sevilla desperately crave for.

Back in September, ahead of an encounter between Sevilla and Real Valladolid, despite his struggles, Sevilla head coach Francisco Javier Garcia Pimienta, however, offered his backing to Iheanacho. 

“Everyone, whoever plays up front has to do well. Kelechi is a proven player. The other day he had a difficult game because he came on without warming up,” Pimienta said via the club’s official website. “Just like therest, he has to take a step forward because he has the quality to do it at Sevilla.”

Although Iheanacho played 62 minutes in that match without a goal or assist, his Nigerian compatriot Chidera Ejuke stepped up with a late winner.

Afterward, Pimienta continued to defend Iheanacho, attributing his lack of form to a difficult adjustment period caused by his absence during preseason.

“The boy is training very well. I know it seems like an excuse, but he didn’t do the pre-season with the team,” Pimienta said on La Jugada de Canal Sur Radio, as cited by Estadio Deportivo.

“The team already had our concepts; we had been training together for almost two months. It was hard for him to adapt. He has a player in front of him who is clear about it, who gives us a lot of things and is doing very well.”

Meanwhile, recent reports suggest Iheanacho could be set for a return to England, with EFL Championship side West Bromwich Albion showing interest in signing the Nigerian striker.

While moving from La Liga to England’s second division might not be ideal for Iheanacho, it could serve as an opportunity for him to rebuild his confidence and form.

Before his move to Sevilla, Iheanacho was linked with several top Turkish clubs. A loan move during the January transfer window could be a fresh start and a step in the right direction for the struggling forward.

Iheanacho endured another frustrating night as Sevilla drew 1-1 with Osasuna in their La Liga clash on Monday night. 

The former Leicester City striker was poised to enter late in the game but was ultimately sent back to the bench, reportedly due to a tactical adjustment prompted by Sambi Lokonga’s injury concerns.

Sevilla coach initially prepared Iheanacho and captain Jesús Navas for substitution during the final minutes. However, Lokonga’s apparent return from a physical issue left the Nigerian visibly upset as he returned to his seat, per reports from ABC.

Iheanacho joined Sevilla on a free transfer last summer, and has struggled for consistent game time in Spain. Despite scoring twice in eight official appearances—both goals coming in a Copa del Rey match against lower-tier Las Rozas, the 28-year-old has now gone two consecutive games without making it onto the pitch.

Sevilla’s attacking struggles were evident against Osasuna, with Budimir giving the visitors an early lead before Dodi Lukebakio salvaged a point for the Andalusian side. Pimienta had hoped to inject fresh energy into Sevilla’s attack, considering Iheanacho as an option, but Lokonga’s situation disrupted the plan.

The draw leaves Sevilla with little to celebrate, while Iheanacho’s limited involvement raises questions about his role in Pimienta’s plans.

This lack of playing time has impacted his prospects with the Nigerian national team. Having faced similar challenges while at Leicester City, questions are now being raised about whether the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball winner has lost his edge on the pitch.

Sevilla have massively struggled in the striking department this season, with Isaac Romero and Iheanacho having been very short of goals. Despite having only scored once in 14 appearances in La Liga, the former remains the undisputed starter for head coach Pimienta. 

As such, Iheanacho is almost certain to leave Sevilla during next month’s winter transfer window, as per Marca. The club’s sporting department, led by sporting director Victor Orta, has plans to sign a new striker because of the lack of goals so far this season, and as such, the Nigerian is the one that would be discarded.

It has been a very disappointing six months at Sevilla for Iheanacho since he signed from Leicester City. The fact that he has started getting into the line-up despite Romero’s poor form suggests that he has no place in Pimienta’s plans and, as such, it would probably be best for him to depart.

Sevilla announced the signing of the 28-year-old in August with the former Leicester City player, whose contract with the Foxes expired at the end of last season, penning a two-year deal with the Andalusian club.

Last season, Iheanacho played majorly fringe roles in the Foxes’ return to the English Premier League, scoring six goals and providing three assists in 26 appearances.

Unlike his compatriot Ejuke, who has hit the ground running since joining the Seville-based outfit, Iheanacho is yet to impress at his new club and it’s abundantly clear that nothing has changed after almost half a season.

Sevilla clearly expected more from him, however, and now Estadio Deportivo are suggesting that the La Liga side could look to sell him as early as January.