Contrary to reports in some media platform, Nigeria and Middlesbrough on loan player Kelechi Iheanacho, said he enjoyed the support of the coaching crew and management of Sevilla. The Nigerian international returned to England after a short spell in Spain amidst speculation that he wasn’t treated well.
TREATED WELL IN SEVILLA
“I enjoyed my stay with Sevilla,” Iheanacho stated from England through one of is associates. “They treated me well and I’m still their player and hope to return to Spain after my loan here in England.”
He said contrary to speculation that he didn’t fit into the team, he said he was doing well in training and had mutual talk with Sevilla management to loan him out.
“My coach (Francisco Pimienta) is happy with what I was doing in training and knows my ability. He told me that I’m new and needed time to understand the team. He said whoever plays up front has to do well.
“When I had to move on loan we sat down together and it was a mutual talk and agreement,” he added.
Back in September, Pimienta also backed Iheanacho informing that he was doing everything to fit into the team. “Everyone, whpoever 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. Just like the rest he has to take a step forward because he has the quality to do well in Sevilla.
“The boy is training very well. I know it seems like an excuse, but he didn’t do the pre-season with the team.
The team already had pour concept; 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 well.”
Read Also: NSC, NFF meet on proposed Abuja hotel, training pitch site
HOMECOMING
However, Iheanacho has described his loan return to England from Europa League specialist Sevillaas homecoming.
His transfer from Leicester to Sevilla last season has been cut short after half the season, as he was let out on loan again to the Championship side.
Iheanacho’s announcement as a Boroplayer marked the end of their business in the January transfer window as the deadline closed last Monday night.
Speaking from Middlesbrough, the Nigerian international is over the moon on what he tagged ‘homecoming’ to England where he had spent the greater number of years in his career so far.
Iheanacho moved to England in 2015 fresh from the Nigerian cadet team and transferred to Leicester City in 2017, where he spent seven years before moving onto Spain. He views his loan return to the Championship and England as a sign of good thing as he has helped Leicester gained promotion to the Premiership last season.
“It was good to move away and experience a different environment. They produce a great atmosphere there and it’s another great club. I loved my experience there, it’s a great team. I’m here now though, and focused on what I can achieve here.
“England feels like home now and I’m buzzing to get started. I had the experience of the Championship with Leicester last season and it was obviously a good one. I played against Middlesbrough as well, but didn’t manage to score! But I’ve played in the league and know how it is.”
“I think that will help me get started right away. I’m feeling ready to go. I’m not big on setting targets, but collectively, as a team, it is to get back to the Premier League. Obviously, it’s one step at a time, but hopefully we get there. We’ve got a good group of lads here, a good team, and hopefully, we can work together to achieve that goal,”
Additionally, Iheanacho was relieved to be back in England, the country where he made a name for himself, winning the English Community Shield, FA Cup, and the EFL Championship.
He added: “Obviously, there are good coaches here and a good team. I’ve played against the club a good few times so I know it’s a really good club. I spoke to the manager and he was a really nice guy. We discussed everything from training to games and how he wants the club to move forward. It was clear that the goal is to get to the Premier League, which was good. I can’t wait to get started.
“We (himself and Boro coach Michael Carrick] spoke about everything, training, games, how we’re going to move forward. Hopefully, we’ll get through to go to the Premier League, that’s the goal.
The FA Cup winner returns to England on loan until the end of the season, looking for back-to-back promotions from the Championship to the Premier League after Leicester’s triumph last season. The Nigerian is joined on Teesside by Samuel Iling-Junior from Aston Villa. The 21-year-old joined Villa from Juventus in the summer and spent the first half of this season on loan at Bologna.
Morgan Whittaker also arrives on Teesside following a move from Plymouth Argyle. The winger made his debut against Sunderland.
Mark Travers made his Boro debut in Monday’s fixture. Despite the late goal, the Irish shot-stopper had a solid game. The headlines were instead given to fellow loanee Ryan Giles whose unlucky touch beat Travers to decide the tie.
There was a number of outings at the Riverside, with winger Isiah Jones departing to join Championship strugglers Luton Town. Jones and Latte Lath had a combined 42 goals for the club. Matt Clarke left for Derby County after falling out of favour in Michael Carrick’s back line. The 28-year-old returns to Pride Park where he spent two seasons on loan during the COVID-19 seasons.
George Edmundson made his loan permanent after being temporarily recalled from Ipswich. The centre-back signed a two-and-a-half year contract. Meanwhile, defender Tommy Smith has announced his retirement from football on Wednesday morning. The full-back made over 350 appearances and nearly 50 on Teesside. His decision came following his ruptured Achilles in October 2023, ruling him out of playing since.
