Iheanacho reveals admiration for Rooney

Super Eagles attacker Kelechi Iheanacho has revealed that his childhood hero is Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney. 

The 20-year-old Manchester City starlet is regarded as one of the Citizens’ most promising prospects after scoring 20 goals in 54 appearances for the club, many of those off the bench.

Despite City having a number of top strikers over the years, from teammate Sergio Aguero to Carlos Tevez, the Nigeria international idolised forwards from City's biggest rivals while growing up in Nigeria.


Iheanacho also admitted that he idolised legendary Ivorian striker Didier Drogba when he was at Chelsea.

"I think I was watching Didier Drogba and his team at Chelsea, and Wayne Rooney at Manchester United as well.

 

"They are great players that I am looking up to as well, pick up lessons from them and put in my football in the Premier League," Iheanacho told the Premier League's official website, www.premierleague.com.

Iheanacho's position as Aguero's back-up at City could be under threat with the arrival of another young striker, 19-year-old Gabriel Jesus from Brazilian side Palmeiras.

The Nigerian will hope to make his 15th league appearance of the season this Sunday against Everton at Goodison Park, though he has started only five times.

He has scored eight times so far this campaign, the last coming in City's 3-0 win at Hull City. The 20-year-old has twice won Caf's Most Promising Talent of the Year award, in 2013 and 2016.