Rejected Eagle Iheanacho finds joy again: Senior man delivers playmaking clinic for Boro

Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho is rediscovering his spark at Middlesbrough, delivering a playmaking masterclass that inspired a commanding 2-0 victory over Blackburn in the Championship. 

The Nigerian star, who has now scored and assisted three goals in his last two matches, is proving his worth after a challenging period both on and off the pitch.

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The 28-year-old was the architect of Boro’s latest win, setting up both goals in the match for the Premier League-chasing team.

Samuel Illing-Junior and Tommy Conway were the beneficiaries of Iheanacho’s vision, as his pinpoint assists handed Michael Carrick’s side back-to-back wins and stretched their unbeaten run to four games. 

Iheanacho’s stats from the game tell the story of his dominance: he created four chances, more than anyone else on the pitch, delivered two key passes, and completed an impressive 89% of his passes.

This resurgence comes on the heels of a difficult moment for the forward, who was dropped by new Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle during the last international break despite being named in the initial 39-man squad. 

Rather than letting the rejection weigh him down, Iheanacho appears to be channeling it into his performances for Middlesbrough. 

His latest display follows his first goal for the club, a milestone that Carrick had hoped would ignite the striker’s season. “I am sure that will be a kickstart for him as well,” Carrick said after that strike against Oxford United, and Iheanacho is proving his manager right.

Though he could have capped his night with a goal of his own, missing a golden opportunity, Iheanacho’s contribution was undeniable. 

His flair and precision in the final third have injected new life into Boro’s campaign, offering fans a glimpse of the ‘Senior Man’ at his very best. 

For a player sidelined by his national team, this purple patch is a reminder of his talent and a sign that he’s finding joy in his football once again.