Sevilla winger, Chidera Ejuke has expressed support for his teammate Kelechi Iheanacho, who has endured a challenging start to his career in Spain after his summer move from England.
Both Ejuke and Iheanacho joined Sevilla on free transfers; the former arriving from Belgian side Antwerp, while latter parted ways with Leicester City after his contract expired.
Photo | sevillafc
While Ejuke has quickly adapted to life in La Liga, even earning praise, his International teammate has struggled to make an impact.
Chidera Ejuke (L) celebrates after scoring during La Liga match against Real Valladolid at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium. (Photo By Joaquin Corchero/Europa Press via Getty Images)
In five appearances for Sevilla, Iheanacho has yet to score or provide an assist and has mostly featured as a substitute.
Despite the slow start, Ejuke remains confident in his compatriot’s abilities.
“Kelechi is a great guy. He’s a good player,” Ejuke told Marca.
“That’s why Victor Orta brought him to Sevilla. He’s a striker and he wants to score goals; he wants to help the team. So, he’s probably thinking about that.
“But, I think above all that he’s a great guy, a good person who brings a lot of energy to the team” Ejuke added, standing by his teammate amid growing scrutiny.
Initial speculations over the Forward’s limited playing time was that he might be carrying an injury, but Sevilla head coach García Pimienta clarified the situation.
Pimientos stated that the former Manchester City and Leicester City forward is still adjusting to the team, and will soon find his form.
“He has quality, but he came a month late, training individually. He is adapting.
“The two weeks with the national team, in which he did not play, did not do him any good,” Pimienta told ondacero.
“He is a quality footballer for everything he has done and sooner rather than later we have to see him at his best.”
Meanwhile, Iheanacho -along with Ejuke – will join Nigeria’s squad for this month’s AFCON 2025 Qualifiers against Libya.
Nigeria’s interim head coach, Austin Eguavoen during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier against Benin Republic. Photo | X
The Sevilla duo made Austin Eguavoen’s final list for these crucial matches, which was released on Saturday.
