External factors may hamper Iheanacho’s development – Keshi

Super Eagles manager, Stephen Keshi, believes that external pressures may hamper the development of hot prospect, Kelechi Iheanacho.

Iheanacho became a player to watch out for after a scintillating performance at the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, helping the country to the top position in the competition and also playing his way into the hearts of scouts from top clubs across Europe.

FC Porto of Portugal as well as English Premier League sides, Arsenal and Manchester City, showed interest in the youngster.

Not one to hinder the growth of a potential Super Eagles midfield maestro, Keshi decided to give the best player at the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup a chance to play for the senior national team at next months African Nations’ Championship, but Iheanacho was reportedly hurled off to Manchester earlier this month to undergo trials with Man City.

Stephen Keshi says Iheanacho will not be part of the Super Eagles side that will compete at the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa

Sadly, the trip to the Eastlands was a wasted one and Keshi has said Iheanacho will not be...part of the Super Eagles side that will compete at the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa.

“External influences have started because he’s a young footballer who needs the right kind of guidance,” Keshi said to SuperSport. “Iheanacho is a young kid and I see no reason why anyone would advise him or his father to take him to Manchester City.

“He’s a very good player but he still needs to develop. Playing in the CHAN would have been a very good opportunity to grow, mature and learn more about the game. Now he has lost that opportunity,” he said.

The Big Boss also revealed that he refrained from advising the youngster on what decision to take when the opportunity arose for him to travel for talks with the former English champions.

“I couldn’t have done that because it’s not my style or practice.

“As footballers and human beings, I will help the boys to grow but when it comes to their contract situations with clubs, I will never say a word.

“My approach is ‘you go and do your thing. If it’s good for you, thank God; if it’s not, that’s your business’,” he said.

Source:The Nigerian Telegraph