19-year-old Man City striker Kelechi Iheanacho had a very impressive debut season for the Citizens this past year, netting 14 times in 35 appearances and earning significant caps for his native Nigeria.
But Iheanacho’s desire to represent his home country in the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympics could create a major conflict of interest with his club.
According to Sun Sport, new Man City manager Pep Guardiola has made it clear that he wants Iheanacho with the club for summer training.
However, Iheanacho has maintained that if he gets a chance to represent Nigeria in the Olympic football competition, he will try to take it.
“I don’t know if I can go because it is not up to me to decide because they have not concluded the squad,” Iheanacho said.
“But yes, if they allow me to go, then I want to go but they have not included me in the squad yet.
“If your country wants to play for them you surely have to go but it’s not up for me to decide.
“I haven’t met Pep Guardiola and haven’t spoken to him. I think we will meet him in training.”
During his 2015-16 campaign for Man City, Iheanacho recorded a hat trick against Aston Villa in the FA Cup, and notched a brace against Stoke City in the Premier League – a performance which earned him Man of the Match honors in the process.
Iheanacho has been capped four times for Nigeria since 2015, and scored for his country in back-to-back friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg in May.
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