Kelechi Iheanacho risks wrath of new City gaffer Pep Guardiola

KELECHI IHEANACHO has risked the wrath of Pep Guardiola by declaring he wants to represent Nigeria at the Olympics.

The striker, who netted 14 goals for City last season, is now set to miss the start of new season by going to the Games

The 19 year old Nigerian was included in his country’s 35–man provisional squad early last month.

But it was then made clear to him that Guardiola – presented on Sunday to the club’s fans at the City Football Academy – wanted him to remain and start work with him.

But Iheanacho, who was last season’s eight – goal second top scorer in the Premier League admits he would still like to go to Rio.

He says: “I don’t know if I can go because it is not up to me to decide because they have not concluded the squad.

“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.”

Thousands of City supporters turned up to welcome Guardiola but Iheanacho’s comments may not be quite as welcome.

The Spaniard has added £14m front man Nolito to his squad and midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

But he will see highly talented Iheanacho as a crucial alternative after his breakthrough campaign in which he made 35 appearances scoring a total of 14 goals.

Were Iheanacho to go to Brazil for the games – which run from August 5 till the 21st – he would not be available for the start of the Premier season, kicked off by his club against Sunderland on August 13