Kelechi Iheanacho had to wait until 3 February for his first league goal of the season. Since then the Leicester City striker is the Premier League’s top goalscorer.
The Nigerian assisted the equaliser and scored the winner as the Foxes beat Crystal Palace 2-1 to gain a seven-point cushion in the race for a Champions League place.
A far cry from a striker who had to wait 14 months for a Premier League goal from September 2018 to December 2019.
He is the Foxes’ top scorer this season with 17 goals, the first time since 2014-15 that Jamie Vardy has been in danger of not leading the way.
“That [race to be top scorer] is not what we talk about,” Iheanacho told BBC Sport. “As a team we work for each other, it doesn’t matter who scores the goals.
“There’s so much to improve in games so I’ll keep going, keep doing my best.”
Boss Brendan Rodgers said: “Over the last few months Kelechi has been absolutely incredible. It wasn’t just his goal but his work-rate, he wants to press the game. He has no ego whatsoever and he works so hard.”
What’s changed?
The turning point in Iheanacho’s Leicester City career has been starting alongside Vardy up front.
They only started eight games together last season and did not do so this campaign until 28 February – and even then it was only because of injuries to James Maddison and others. They have played every game together since.
Nigeria’s Iheanacho has scored 14 goals in his last 14 appearances, as many as he managed in his previous 76 for Leicester.
Only Harry Kane (18) has been involved in more goals than Iheanacho (15) among Premier League players in all competitions this year.
Former England international Karen Carney was watching the game for BBC Radio 5 Live and said: “I think Iheanacho’s confidence has come because he knows when he plays he’s not going to get substituted for Jamie Vardy.
“As a player you’re always looking over your shoulder thinking you are going to get taken off.
“But because he’s playing next to Jamie Vardy he’s confident and that one goal turns into two and three.”
Rodgers said: “The top priority for me as a coach is helping players to develop. It’s been difficult for Kels because of the style we normally played which was one striker – Jamie Vardy.
“We had to change it round with injuries, he’s come in and been exceptional. Not just his goals, he’s so happy to work hard for the team and his quality is phenomenal.”
Practiced finisher
| Iheanacho’s PL record since joining Leicester | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goals | Shot conversion rate | Touches in opposition box | Expected goals | |
| 2017-18 | 3 | 10.3% | 36 | 4.2 |
| 2018-19 | 1 | 5.6% | 39 | 2.1 |
| 2019-20 | 5 | 13.9% | 76 | 6 |
| 2020-21 | 10 | 23.3% | 69 | 6.6 |
Iheanacho has shown a potency in front of goal recently rarely seen in his career.
His 10 Premier League goals this term outstrips his expected goals – the number of goals he would be expected to score from the chances he receives – by more than three goals, and his shot conversion rate is his highest since joining the Foxes.
Carney said: “I was speaking to Emile Heskey about him and apparently he does these things in training, he’s done it for a very, very long time. But he never really had the confidence when he was given the opportunity in games. That’s changed.
“That’s shifted, he’s now delivering in the games. That type of goal, in the pressure moments when he needs to deliver for his team, he’s pulled it out of the bag and they’ve got three points from it.”
Foxes keeper Kasper Schmeichel told Sky Sports: “Kele is incredibly intelligent when it comes to his finishing – he knows how to shift and shoot so quickly, he’s so good at the particular one where he shifts it and then puts it through the defender’s legs and wrongfoots the goalkeeper.
“He does it in training all the time. He’s a nightmare in training to be fair. He’s just a big strong lad who can put himself about, he’s fast, he’s got absolutely everything to be a top striker and he’s showing it now, which is great.”
RUAN-Badkid.96 is a Nigerian recording artist whose music refuses to live inside a single genre. Blending Afrobeat, Afrofusion, trap, hip-hop, melodic rap, R&B, and global influences, he creates records that move effortlessly between raw street energy, soulful storytelling, and infectious melodies. Whether delivering hard-hitting bars, emotional love songs, or rhythm-driven African records, his sound is defined by authenticity rather than limitation.
Inspired by both African culture and international music, RUAN-Badkid.96 embraces the confidence and ambition of global hip-hop while staying deeply connected to his roots. His lyrics explore love, heartbreak, betrayal, friendship, social injustice, hope, and the everyday realities of life. He doesn’t create music to follow trends, he creates music to reflect truth, emotion, and human experience.
Behind his fearless image is an artist who believes in kindness, equality, justice, and genuine human connection. His appearance may be intimidating, but his message is rooted in compassion and authenticity. Every record carries a piece of his journey, proving that strength and vulnerability can exist in the same voice.
For RUAN-Badkid.96, music is more than entertainment, it’s a language, a testimony, and a lifelong mission to connect with people through honesty, versatility, and unforgettable sound.
Entertainment Gists
Meet the Man Who Turned Hype Into a Science: Emmy Blaq, Nigeria’s G.O.A.T. of Hype
If you have ever been at a Nigerian event and found yourself on your feet before the main act even stepped on stage, there is a good chance a hype man was responsible. But not just any hype man. Emmy Blaq, born Ikechukwu Emmanuel Chima and raised in Auchi, Edo State, has spent the last few years quietly becoming the most talked-about name in that profession, and the Nigerian press has taken notice. Punch, Vanguard, The Guardian Nigeria, The Nation, and Independent Newspaper have all sat down with him, and every conversation leads back to the same thing: this man does not just make noise; he makes moments.
What makes Emmy Blaq different is the journey behind the energy. Before the stages, the collaborations with Waje on her “Waje 2.0” album, DJ Consequence, and DJ Kaywise on the massively streamed “Joor Party Mix” series, he was repairing generators, cutting hair, and sewing clothes in Auchi. His first professional hype gig happened at a local fast food spot called Valchi, and the crowd response that night changed everything. He told The Nation directly: “My passion for entertainment and desire to make people happy led me into the craft.” Punch also captured his bigger mission when he said that hype men deserve more than what they currently earn, a statement that sparked a real conversation across Nigerian entertainment circles.
With over 1.7 million TikTok followers, 23.6 million TikTok likes, a viral “Wife Material” challenge that landed on Pulse Nigeria’s top ten social media moments of 2021, and an international performance at the Cameroon International Music Festival that Cameroonian media described as electrifying, Emmy Blaq is not building toward something. He is already there. The G.O.A.T. of Hype is not a title he gave himself and hoped would stick. It is one the rooms keep confirming every single time he grabs the mic.
MANAGER PROFILE
Uncle Wisdom is a Lagos-based music executive and visionary leader known for blending structure, strategy, and creativity in artist management. With a background in Mathematics and Statistics from UNICROSS formerly, Cross River University Of Technology. He brings analytical precision into talent development, positioning artists for both creative excellence and commercial success.
CAREER JOURNEY
Began his career in 2017 as an event coordinator for Eksu Olofofo, where he gained foundational experience in live events and audience engagement. By 2018, he transitioned into full-time artist management, driven by a clear goal to build a more structured and results-oriented system within the music industry.
In 2019, Started working as a road manager for Barry Jhay, gaining hands-on experience in touring, logistics, and artist operations, a refined career and mental awareness coach . He was also instrumental behind Barry Jhay’s 2025 sold-out homecoming concert, a key moment that fueled momentum for a successful UK tour, including sold-out shows in London and Birmingham.
PHLOX MGMT
Founded from the ground up, Phlox Mgmt is a forward-thinking management company focused on Career coaching, A&R, artist development, and strategic positioning. The company is built on a clear philosophy:
Develop the sound. Define the brand. Position the artist to win.
Phlox Mgmt has connections with @Roadgod_of Roadgod Agency and connects artists with top-tier producers, engineers, and creatives, ensuring a refined sound and strong market presence. The company continues to grow as a trusted platform for emerging and established talent.
INDUSTRY NETWORK & COLLABORATIONS
Uncle Wisdom has built valuable relationships across the industry, working with and alongside talents such as:
Barry Jhay • Asake • Ceeza Milli • Berri Tiga • Laime • Spellz • and many others
LEADERSHIP APPROACH
John Wisdom operates with a long-term vision, focusing on structure, consistency, and execution. His approach goes beyond traditional management he builds systems around artists that support sustainable growth, strong branding, and global competitiveness.
CONTACT & SOCIALS
Instagram & X: @Johnwisdm @phlox_mgmt
TikTok: @unclewisdom7
Email: phloxentertainment@gmail.com
Phone: 08038448478 | 09015668027
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