Rodgers Defends Iheanacho After Being Blamed For Leicester’s Defeat To Southampton

The manager of Leicester City, Brendan Rodgers, declined to pin the defeat to Southampton on Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho’s missed opportunities to score.

The 2022/23 season has not gone well for the East Midlands team, as they have only won seven games and lost fifteen more.

With 24 points from 25 games, Leicester is now three points above the relegation zone in 15th place.

In their last weekend game, Carlos Alcaraz gave Southampton the lead in the 35th minute, foiling their attempt to turn things around against Ruben Selles’ team.

In the first half, Super Eagles striker Iheanacho headed three beautifully placed crosses off target, denying Rodger’s team the best chances to level the score.

Halfway through the second half, the 25-year-old was given another chance after intercepting a pass from Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu. The ex-Manchester City player launched his shot, but it was off-target.

Hence, Iheanacho was singled out for his part in most of Leicester’s wasted opportunities when two English analysts, Gary Linekar and Ian Wright, lambasted the team’s performance.

However, in a post-game interview with Leicester Mercury, Brendan Rodgers complimented the Super Eagles attacker and claimed that his efforts had posed a threat to their opponents.

“He’s been brilliant for us of late”, he said. “He’s been the one who looks like the threat. He kept fighting and kept working. He had two really good headers but couldn’t make the finish. The opportunity on the edge of the box, we’ve seen him score those recently, where he guides it into the corner. At least he was there to miss it.”