Iheanacho tunnel extends at Middlesbrough: criticised and without minutes in the last match

Kelechi Iheanacho left Sevilla in the last days of the winter transfer market. He used up his options to leave Nervión , a situation that could no longer be reversed due to the little confidence that the coach had placed in the Nigerian, to whom he had given certain opportunities, which the attacker did not take advantage of. After ruling out more exotic destinations, Iheanacho always had the possibility of returning to England, where he has shown a higher level. Not to the Premier League, whose pace of play is not suited to the current physique of the striker, but to its immediately lower division. Middlesbrough bet on him, after the sale of its top scorer to the MLS , and now hopes that he will respond with goals. At the moment, the results are disastrous: three starts without a score and a defeat. In the last game, zero minutes and a victory for his new team. It does not leave him in a good place.

In fact, local media are already criticising Middlesbrough 's decision to sign the Sevilla player in January when various options were being considered. His past at Leicester was what caught the attention, with the belief that if he recovered his form he could help fight for more than just the middle of the table. His form in his first few games has been the same as he had at Sevilla. The player needs the confidence that comes from playing time and goals. Since he doesn't score, he has already lost the first. And if his new club also shows that it is better without him on the pitch, this new adventure could be very long.

Sevilla hoped that the loan move could be a way of reviving Iheanacho . Obviously, no one was 100% convinced that it would happen, but there was hope. And there still is, as Michael Carrick does not stop valuing the influence that Iheanacho must have on his plans. It was the former Manchester United midfielder who first spoke to the African to explain what he wanted from him and how he could fit into his plans. This first substitution and not even playing a minute in the second half is a blow to his confidence. He still has time to react but, as with Sevilla, it may be too late if he does not get to work.