Is it far fetched if we say Pep Guardiola’s unfair treatment of Kelechi Iheanacho at City had a huge role in his development even after leaving them? He was just 18, tore the U-17 WC apart, even Pellegrini placed him above Wilf Bony in the pecking order. But Pep happened.

Pep replaced Pellegrini and brought Nolito & Gabriel Jesus with him. 18-year-old Iheanacho at the time was left to play with the City Under 18s.

A striker who in his 1st season at city scored 10 goals under Pellegrini. That was his best ever tally in a season till now.

From being a direct back-up to Sergio Agüero & rated higher than Bony, who once scored 35 goals in a season for Vitesse to getting offloaded cos of a certain One-dimensional Gabriel Jesús. One can only wonder what happened to him mentally.

He arrived Leicester & was faced with the task of fitting into an attack that already had PL title winners like Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy, Shinji Okazaki, Marc Albrighton, not forgetting Demarai Gray. Playing under the rigid Claud Puel.

Next season, Puel was sacked and replaced by Brendan Rodgers. Iheanacho struggling for form already had to also battle the incoming Islam Slimani. Fresh from his 48 goals Sporting Lisbon stint. Then came Ayoze Perez. Rodgers trying to find the perfect blend to Vardy.Who wouldn’t?

For all the talk of “Managers putting an arm around the shoulder of players”. That sentiment is never put in front when it comes to Pep Guardiola. Kelechi probably needed that father figure — Manuel Pellegrini was that.

Perhaps not all players need hugs

I’m saying this now cos we all wondered where the genius wonder kid we all saw at the U-17 World Cup. We all wondered where he went to. I remember when Kelechi initially joined Leicester, man was still posting pictures of his time at City on his IG.

Says it all.

It’s refreshing to see the golden boy in brilliant form again. Long May it reign. Genuinely, I think it would have gone better, had Guardiola believed in a Nigerian teenager who clearly was one of the best of his age group.