The Nigeria international is rated highly, but Saturday's trip to Old Trafford may bring him right to the limelight
The significance of the 172nd Manchester Derby is apparent.

Leave aside proximity for a minute (though who can forget the now-famous “noisy neighbours” jibe by Sir Alex Ferguson); in Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, both Manchester clubs have a real managerial rivalry going back almost a decade, the sort of darkness vs. light or evil vs. good dynamic that is perfectly typical of the soap opera nature of modern football.

If this derby feels more personal than usual, that is because it is.

The big question going into Saturday’s early kick-off is who is front of the line to replace the suspended Sergio Aguero in the Citizens’ attack.


The departure of a painfully out-of-his-depth Wilfried Bony to Stoke would appear to simplify Guardiola’s decision- Kelechi Iheanachois the only other centre-forward in the first team squad.

However, the 19-year-old is just that, and has only seven Premier League starts under his belt. Considering the former Barcelona boss’ romance with a ‘false nine’ at Camp Nou, it is by no means a certainty: any one of Kevin de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling or Nolito could just as easily be selected upfront.

Iheanacho stats | 2015-16
It would however be counterintuitive not to plump for Iheanacho at this time.


With boundless resources available, Guardiola has set about improving the spine of the team, but tellingly made no immediate addition to the forward line.

John Stones has joined from Everton, the kind of ball-playing centre-back that is so crucial to possession play; Ilkay Gundogan will certainly be first name on the teamsheet in midfield once fully fit, while Leroy Sane and Nolito offer width and direct dribbling.


In the centre-forward position though, it has been quiet.

Iheanacho stats | 2016-17
Gabriel Jesus has been acquired, but will join up with the squad in January. The inference is clear: Iheanacho is held in high regard - as his new contract would appear to signify - but he must show enough, even with limited time, before the competition arrives.

It is also a chance to see just how much he has learnt from Guardiola so far in terms of interpreting the striking role.

This gives a sense of just how important this game is for the Nigeria international, and why this opportunity is something of a double-edged sword.

The Pep era begins at @ManCity.
Did this on why getting the best out of Iheanacho should be his top priority. https://t.co/OioRFNpspe— Solace Chukwu (@TheOddSolace) July 3, 2016

Coming in such a high-profile encounter jacks the pressure and scrutiny up; it would not be an exaggeration to state that this would be the biggest game of his career to date, not necessarily in terms of profile (he played in the Uefa Champions League semi-final last season, after all) but in terms of what it signifies for his career going forward.

He may have netted eight times in the Premier League last season, but he is yet to deliver the sort of emphatic statement that fellow teenager Marcus Rashford did, scoring twice on his league debut against Arsenal, as well in the second Manchester derby last season.

Iheanacho’s talent is undeniable, but it is yet to be proven it is of the level required in a team battling heavyweights. A performance at the weekend would go a long way toward putting this concern to rest.

As he told The Sun, “Sergio’s suspension is a big loss but we have a lot of big players to turn to. If I get picked I’m going to do my job.

Games like this mean a lot and it doesn’t come bigger than a derby.”
Clearly, he is not one to be fazed by the demand for the spectacular. His eye-catching winner on international duty with Nigeria at the weekend was testament to this and, while he lacks Aguero’s pace on the turn and explosiveness, his runs and ability to find space in the penalty box will certainly cause worries for both Eric Bailly and Daley Blind.

The stage is set, the script written. The question is whether, on cue, Iheanacho will rise to the occasion, as he has made a habit of doing.