Leicester boss Claude Puel has urged the critics to lay off misfiring striker Kelechi Iheanacho ahead of Leicester City clash with Manchester City in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at the King Power Stadium.
The 22-year-old has cost the Foxes £2.5million per goal since a £25million switch from Manchester City last year.
He has not scored in 12 games for club and country and was subjected to sarcastic jeers when he was substituted in the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham.
Iheanacho who has made nine appearances in the Carabao Cup since he made his debut in the competition with Manchester City where he made three appearances scoring twice will be targeting his fifth appearance (fourth start and his third goal in the competition) against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Puel told Leicester Mercury that if he dipped into the transfer market in January it would send the wrong signal to the young players he is nurturing, like 22-year-old striker Iheanacho.
The Super Eagles star has struggled in front of goal in the English Premer League this campaign scoring just a goal in 16 league games for the Foxes who are 12th in the English top-flight table.
His only goal so far this season came in Leicester’s 3-1 defeat of Huddersfield Town back in September.
“If we didn’t give confidence to our young players to develop and grow with the team it would be not the right project for the club,” Puel told Leicester Mercury.
“We need to find the right balance between developing the squad and getting results.
“It is important to put in place what we need to improve the team for the next season and for the future. At the moment it is important to keep our focus on this club and we have a lot of quality and I am happy with this squad.
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