Why Bilic Should Do All It Takes To Land Manchester City outcast Kelechi Iheanacho This Summer
Having failed to build up on their 2015-16 season, West Ham United, who shifted to the new Olympic Stadium, have had a mediocre season, compared to the quality they had in their ranks. They have suffered some serious injuries to key players and the manager will now look to make amends and has already started looking for possible additions to his squad this summer. One such player constantly linked with a move to the Olympic Stadium is Manchester City outcast Kelechi Iheanacho.
The 20-year-old burst onto the scene late in the 2015-16 season under Manuel Pellegrini but has found first-team chances hard to come by under Pep Guardiola. He made just 29 appearances in all competitions, picking up 7 goals and 3 assists and showed enough promise. But Guardiola has decided that he is surplus to requirements and has already put him up for sale.
According to reports, the Nigerian youngster wants to stay in the Premier League, amid interests from PSG and Borussia Dortmund and is expected to be available for just around £20m. At that price, he is an absolute steal and West Ham should just not miss out on this opportunity.
A sublime finisher with blinding dribbling abilities, Iheanacho is a genuine goal scorer who will definitely improve most clubs in the lower half of the points table in the Premier League. Though he is not too strong in the air, the 20-year old will run the lines, drag defences out of line and is a smart player who known how to use the space available on the football pitch.
He is also a threat during set piece situations and is a type of player West Ham currently lack in their squad. The likes of Andy Carroll and Michail Antonio are target men and will act well to a certain extent but the Hammers need some dynamism in their attack which Iheanacho will add if they spend on him this summer.
It is hard to see him be the first-choice for Slaven Bilic next season but he fills a gap that has been gaping at the club last season. If Bilic can get him to move to London, it could be just the right catalyst to push them close to a place in Europe next season.
In this inflated market, he can be a game changer and the West Ham manager should do everything he can to land him this summer.