Kelechi Iheanacho - 2016/17 Performances

[TheHitman]

His 1st touch is usually shocking tbh, i hope he can improve as time quickly passes a player by.

He is only 20 and hasn't played a lot of games for City. With more games he will get his first touch right. It isn't something that can't be fixed. He has all the tools and attitude to do well. We need to have more faith in our youth products.

 

[Otamendi's Beard]

There's a huge exaggeration about his 'poor' first touch on here.

A lot of his goals are first time finishes, so his touch can't be that bad can it?

 

[Marvin]

There's a huge exaggeration about his 'poor' first touch on here.

A lot of his goals are first time finishes, so his touch can't be that bad can it?

No it isn't. Baseless criticism.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

No it isn't. Baseless criticism.

Never understood the criticism about his first touch.

 

[Neville Kneville]

The comments about Kelechi having a poor first touch, are ridiculous.

If his first touch was poor, he wouldn't be able to do any of the things he has actually done. Quite often his first touch involves putting the ball in the fucking net. Some of those finishes are sublime. He was a No 10 before he came to City & was the star player of the U17s World Cup there. Ever heard of a world cup star No 10 with a poor first touch ?

He is guilty of slack play at times or thinking what he's going to do with the ball, ahead of actually getting the ball under control, but people saying he has a poor first touch are just being stupid.

 

[aguero93:20]

The comments about Kelechi having a poor first touch, are ridiculous.

If his first touch was poor, he wouldn't be able to do any of the things he has actually done. Quite often his first touch involves putting the ball in the fucking net. Some of those finishes are sublime. He was a No 10 before he came to City & was the star player of the U17s World Cup there. Ever heard of a world cup star No 10 with a poor first touch ?

He is guilty of slack play at times or thinking what he's going to do with the ball, ahead of actually getting the ball under control, but people saying he has a poor first touch are just being stupid.

He hasn't got a poor touch imo, but he does need to work on receiving the ball with his right and transferring it to his left. Nothing to worry about.

 

[Dax777]

The comments about Kelechi having a poor first touch, are ridiculous.

If his first touch was poor, he wouldn't be able to do any of the things he has actually done. Quite often his first touch involves putting the ball in the fucking net. Some of those finishes are sublime. He was a No 10 before he came to City & was the star player of the U17s World Cup there. Ever heard of a world cup star No 10 with a poor first touch ?

He is guilty of slack play at times or thinking what he's going to do with the ball, ahead of actually getting the ball under control, but people saying he has a poor first touch are just being stupid.

This is strange to say, but his touch at 16 was better than it is now. I know that sounds wierd, bit it's just true. Been watching him since he was 13 and frankly, I think becoming a full time striker has made him rush more, which has worsen his touch.

Or perhaps a better way to view it is that he receives balls in tighter spaces now more often, and seems like his touch has gotten worse due to the pressure of having to act quicker in those spaces. He used to receive it farther back and pick passes with ease.

Don't know what to tell you, but he sure doesn't look like a future Silva on the ball anymore. He used to at 13, 14, 15

 

[Clercqs]

This is strange to say, but his touch at 16 was better than it is now. I know that sounds wierd, bit it's just true. Been watching him since he was 13 and frankly, I think becoming a full time striker has made him rush more, which has worsen his touch.

Or perhaps a better way to view it is that he receives balls in tighter spaces now more often, and seems like his touch has gotten worse due to the pressure of having to act quicker in those spaces. He used to receive it farther back and pick passes with ease.

Don't know what to tell you, but he sure doesn't look like a future Silva on the ball anymore. He used to at 13, 14, 15

Even mine first touch is like Silva when not under any pressure. In senior football, everything goes so much faster and where you'd have 1,5 seconds in youth football before someone closes in on you, you would only have 0,5 before someone rushes in on you with full speed and power. Senior football is in that very different to youth football and why many wonderkids have failed to step up their game at the highest level.

So I doubt his touch has gotten worse but everything is much more difficult in PL compared to youth football and other leagues apart from La Liga, Bundesliga and maybe Serie A and Ligue 1.

 

[Hoghead]

Having an off day currently with almost all his touches completely awful. Strange game from him certainty

All great players have an off day, look at Rooney for example though his has lasted for 3 years.

 

[Hungarian blue]

Shocking first touch from the lad, and it being with his weaker foot is hardly an excuse...

 

[Neville Kneville]

This is strange to say, but his touch at 16 was better than it is now. I know that sounds wierd, bit it's just true. Been watching him since he was 13 and frankly, I think becoming a full time striker has made him rush more, which has worsen his touch.

Or perhaps a better way to view it is that he receives balls in tighter spaces now more often, and seems like his touch has gotten worse due to the pressure of having to act quicker in those spaces. He used to receive it farther back and pick passes with ease.

Don't know what to tell you, but he sure doesn't look like a future Silva on the ball anymore. He used to at 13, 14, 15

That's what is happening, he is trying to expode into action when the ball comes to him & not doing the simple things.

And it is only sometimes. He hasn't lost the ability to control a football, he is just 'sometimes' trying to run before he can walk. When he keeps it simple, he has no problem.

As regards becoming another Silva, he spent a good year doing pretty much fuck all, waiting for permits to come through & being injured, then was soon in the Premier League, as a striker, so he hasn't had any time to develop his game at the higher level. The sliderule passes he played through defences at 16 will mostly be read & picked off in a Prem game & he hasn't had chance to learn when & at what pace, to play such passes & isn't likely to get that opportunity very often in the current situation, he has a job to do for the team first & foremost & often with his back to goal.

An ineffective game, such as at the swamp, will be followed by a month on the bench, so just getting a few touches & scoring goals is top of his agenda right now. He has to learn what he can & can't get away with at this level.

The other side of his game will develop over time.

 

[ono]

This is strange to say, but his touch at 16 was better than it is now. I know that sounds wierd, bit it's just true. Been watching him since he was 13 and frankly, I think becoming a full time striker has made him rush more, which has worsen his touch.

Or perhaps a better way to view it is that he receives balls in tighter spaces now more often, and seems like his touch has gotten worse due to the pressure of having to act quicker in those spaces. He used to receive it farther back and pick passes with ease.

Don't know what to tell you, but he sure doesn't look like a future Silva on the ball anymore. He used to at 13, 14, 15

I'd disagree with that. Firstly most of the footage we have seen of him as a young had is mainly compilation footage highlighting his good points. Similar footage could be put together showcasing his time in a city shirt. I'm not doubting you didn't see him live (on TV at least) at youth tournaments but I do doubt that anyone would have seen enough of him (and even remembered to take note) to make a comparison.

Furthermore, he's now playing against adults, on ridiculously slick and fast pitches in an aggressive league, often against opponents who camp in their own half and try and rob you of any time on the ball or space in dangerous areas. He's not playing against under developed young lads on a bone dry pitch in a slower paced game anymore. That's the main difference. Besides, his poor first touch is the most overly exaggerated thing on here since all the whinging about Joe Hart's distribution.

 

[The Richard Wright Fan Club]

An ineffective game, such as at the swamp

Only a goal and an assist.

 

[domalino]

Only a goal and an assist.

Pretty sure he's talking about the League Cup.

 

[Neville Kneville]

I'd disagree with that. Firstly most of the footage we have seen of him as a young had is mainly compilation footage highlighting his good points. Similar footage could be put together showcasing his time in a city shirt. I'm not doubting you didn't see him live (on TV at least) at youth tournaments but I do doubt that anyone would have seen enough of him (and even remembered to take note) to make a comparison.

Furthermore, he's now playing against adults, on ridiculously slick and fast pitches in an aggressive league, often against opponents who camp in their own half and try and rob you of any time on the ball or space in dangerous areas. He's not playing against under developed young lads on a bone dry pitch in a slower paced game anymore. That's the main difference. Besides, his poor first touch is the most overly exaggerated thing on here since all the whinging about Joe Hart's distribution.

Keleci's first touch is way better than Joe's distribution tbf.

But it's true he played a different role as a younger kid, was brilliant at it & some of us were watching him regularly on tv, especially in the big tournaments (& excited when the City rumours started).

He never had a problem with first touch, compared to any other top kid at his age, any of us will have seen in world football over the years. A lot of the time, he would have grown up playing on pitches which would not be anywhere near good as he plays on now. No reason to assume his ability has deserted him, anymore than Sane's ability to dribble or score has gone. Sane has played more regular games than Kelechi at top level but hasn't yet shown us even 30% of what he can do at City.

Kelechi also has the ability (still) to score from distance, another side to his game we have not yet seen at City. A lot more to Iheanacho than we have seen.

 

[MC ID]

He's an amazing prospect lets not forget, perhaps his form is somewhat erratic but we've seen the same from players much his senior. The kid has a bright future!

I do perhaps wonder however if we were hypothetically able to, a loan in the future would be amazing for the lad - he's never had a season as first choice anywhere and I can't help but feel that would make him a seriously good player - like we could save 30million player.

 

[Neville Kneville]

He's an amazing prospect lets not forget, perhaps his form is somewhat erratic but we've seen the same from players much his senior. The kid has a bright future!

I do perhaps wonder however if we were hypothetically able to, a loan in the future would be amazing for the lad - he's never had a season as first choice anywhere and I can't help but feel that would make him a seriously good player - like we could save 30million player.

Interesting thought, & in theory it would probably help him under the right circumstances. But there would be the huge risk of him encountering the wrong circumstances, & a couple of bad games & bad results could see him benched for a long time.

I think Kelechi & several other kids at City, will be fighting it out for first team places in the coming years & the losers will actually be sold. Possibly with a buyback clause.

 

[Zin 'messiah' Zimmer]

Keleci's first touch is way better than Joe's distribution tbf.

But it's true he played a different role as a younger kid, was brilliant at it & some of us were watching him regularly on tv, especially in the big tournaments (& excited when the City rumours started).

He never had a problem with first touch, compared to any other top kid at his age, any of us will have seen in world football over the years. A lot of the time, he would have grown up playing on pitches which would not be anywhere near good as he plays on now. No reason to assume his ability has deserted him, anymore than Sane's ability to dribble or score has gone. Sane has played more regular games than Kelechi at top level but hasn't yet shown us even 30% of what he can do at City.

Kelechi also has the ability (still) to score from distance, another side to his game we have not yet seen at City. A lot more to Iheanacho than we have seen.

Apart from Southampton last year.... That was a rocket

 

[MC ID]

Interesting thought, & in theory it would probably help him under the right circumstances. But there would be the huge risk of him encountering the wrong circumstances, & a couple of bad games & bad results could see him benched for a long time.

I think Kelechi & several other kids at City, will be fighting it out for first team places in the coming years & the losers will actually be sold. Possibly with a buyback clause.

Yeah, its a risk until we manage to have 'mates' in the game much like united could always rely on the likes of Steve Bruce to play their shitshows as a favour. Once Zabs, De Jong, Viera and others are managing we'll be in a much more secure place for future talent but this doesn't help Nacho right now. still, if we could get him a good loan we'd be laughing

 

[Neville Kneville]

Apart from Southampton last year.... That was a rocket

Thanks a fucking bundle for making me remember that game. I'd successfully stuck that in the recycle bin ready for permanent deletion.

That showed the technique he has though. But he also has the power ala Kolarov.