Sevilla Admit Signing Kelechi Iheanacho Was a “Mistake” — What Went Wrong for the Nigerian Forward?
In a rare moment of brutal honesty, Sevilla sporting director Victor Orta has admitted that signing Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho was a mistake—a statement that has sparked conversations across the footballing world.
The Super Eagles striker joined Sevilla from Leicester City after the expiration of his contract last summer, in what was initially seen as a fresh start for the once highly-rated attacker. But less than a season in Spain, his time at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán has ended with disappointment and questions about what could have been.
🔍 What Went Wrong?
Iheanacho’s stint in La Liga was far from inspiring. Despite netting three goals in the Copa del Rey, his league form told a different story — just one goal in 11 appearances, most of them from the bench.
Victor Orta, while speaking at the unveiling of new Sevilla head coach Joaquin Caparros, didn’t hold back.
“It’s clear that betting on Kelechi this season has been a mistake,” he said. “We’ll analyze why we made it—and we are doing so now.”
Orta explained that Iheanacho was never signed to be a first-choice striker, but rather a backup option. Still, expectations were that he would provide depth and occasional brilliance. Instead, the Nigerian forward struggled with form, adaptation, and possibly confidence.
📉 From Promise to Puzzle
For a player who once burst onto the scene at Manchester City and went on to become a cult hero at Leicester — especially during their FA Cup-winning campaign in 2021 — Iheanacho’s career has taken a nosedive in recent years.
His inability to nail down a starting spot, even at a club like Sevilla that was desperate for attacking flair, suggests deeper issues — whether tactical fit, fitness, or perhaps mental readiness.
Following his underwhelming spell in Spain, Iheanacho made a quiet switch to Middlesbrough in the English Championship, hoping to reboot once more.
💭 Opinion: A Harsh Reality, But Not the End
While Orta’s admission may sound damning, it doesn’t write off Iheanacho’s talent. What it does highlight is how football careers can pivot on form, timing, and confidence — and how quickly a top prospect can find himself on the fringes.
Kelechi is still only 27, and many players have turned their careers around after rough patches. What he needs now is consistency, trust from his manager, and, perhaps most importantly, belief in himself.
For Nigerian fans, it’s a bitter pill, but also a rallying call. Iheanacho has delivered in national colors before — he could still rise again, especially with the AFCON and World Cup qualifiers on the horizon.
🗳️ Do you think Kelechi Iheanacho can bounce back at Middlesbrough or should he return to top-flight football elsewhere?
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