Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho has hailed new boss Pep Guardiola – but admits there is nothing to enjoy about pre-season,
The 19-year-old has started work under former Barcelona manager Guardiola after enjoying a breakthrough season under Manuel Pellegrini in 2015-16.
In what was a disappointing campaign for the Blues, Iheanacho was a bright point, finding the net on eight occasions in the league at an average of one goal every 94 minutes.
That was five minutes fewer per goal than teammate Sergio Aguero, and the best goals to minutes ratio of any player in the top flight so have scored more than once.
While conceding ‘there’s nothing to enjoy about pre-season, you just have to work hard’, Iheanacho is confident of kicking on under Guardiola next term.
“Guardiola is a good manager, everyone knows that,” the Nigerian told Sky Sports. “He’s bringing fresh thoughts and his own style.
“Everything is different and everyone is adapting to what he’s teaching us. We need to understand what he’s telling us and what he wants to bring to the team.”
Iheanacho bagged 14 goals for City in all competitions, but says he must forget these achievements as he attempts to win over City’s new boss.
“Last season was great for me and there were some good highlights,” he said.
“Scoring my goal against Crystal Palace and playing against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu, those were good feelings. But that was last season and it’s history. Now it’s a new season and we need to focus.
“I was happy with what I achieved last season and where I am today. But I have to keep working to improve every day and in every training session.
“I think I’m improving a lot. I just need to keep working to improve more and more. I want to make the fans proud.”