Manchester City boss Manuel
Pellegrini says Kelechi Iheanacho’s hat-trick against Aston Villa proves the
club were right to sell Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic.
The 19-year-old took full advantage of Sergio Aguero
being rested to score
three times in the FA Cup fourth-round tie at Villa Park on Saturday, with
Raheem Sterling netting the other in a comfortable 4-0 win.
Dzeko and Jovetic joined Serie A sides Roma and Inter respectively at the start
of the season and Pellegrini believes Iheanacho is showing that allowing the
more experienced pair to go was the right decision.
“Kelechi is a very good young player,” the Chilean told BBC Sport.
“We let Jovetic and Dzeko go because I see Kelechi every day and know what
he can do. I am very happy.
“We made some important changes because it is important to rotate with so
many matches to play. Bacary Sagna played well at centre-back, he didn’t make
any mistakes and [Willy] Caballero was solid in goal.”
Sterling wanted to take the penalty which put City two goals up, but it was
Pellegrini who insisted on Iheanacho doing the honours from 12 yards.
The manager added: “I told Bacary Sagna to tell Kelechi to take the
penalty. I see him take penalties every day, so he was in charge.”