‘Obviously’ – Kelechi Iheanacho names former Leicester City teammate as biggest inspiration
‘Obviously’ – Kelechi Iheanacho names former Leicester City teammate as biggest inspiration
Kelechi Iheanacho is never one to forget his roots and named one of his former Leicester City teammates as his biggest inspiration.
Iheanacho completed a loan move to Middlesbrough in the January transfer window after a difficult start at Sevilla.
His time at Sevilla saw his manager defend Iheanacho after reports claimed he was overweight but with gametime limited, the Championship club came calling and brought him back to England.
He is seen as the replacement for former Leicester target Emmanuel Latte Lath, who left for Atlanta in the MLS.
The forward is still fondly remembered at the King Power Stadium, especially for his role in the historic 2021 FA Cup run and the club has had a lasting effect on him, with one of his teammates a huge part of his career.
Kelechi Iheanacho names Jamie Vardy as inspiration
In order to get to know him better, Iheanacho answered a series of quickfire questions with the Middlesbrough social media team.
The 28-year-old was asked who his biggest career inspirations were and he mentioned Jamie Vardy as one of the footballing figures that helped him most.
He said: “Biggest influence on my career? There is quite a couple. So many people helped me throughout my career, obviously, managers as well, [Manuel] Pellegrini, Brendan Rodgers, Pep Guardiola. Players as well Clichy, Kompany, Yaya Toure, obviously, Jamie Vardy as well.”
Former manager Brendan Rodgers was also named as an act of inspiration. It was under Rodgers that Iheanacho won the FA Cup and scored the winning goal in the Community Shield final.
Kelechi Iheanacho wanted to replace Jamie Vardy at Leicester City
Iheanacho departed Leicester with a smile in 2024 but at one stage, did look like he would become the heir to Vardy’s throne.
In the final stages of the 2020/21 season the forward was on a run of five goals in three games whilst Vardy had registered just one from his last 14.
It led to conversations about the Leicester legend’s long-term being replaced by the Nigerian and although it never came to promise, the Nigeria international had visions of being the first choice striker for the Foxes.
“If the chance comes for me to replace him [Vardy] one day, I will take the chance but for now I think he’s playing now and he’s doing well,” he told Sky Sports.
“I’m really happy playing alongside him.
“Playing with Jamie gives me more options to sometimes come deep to receive the ball.”
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