A Sergio Agüero and Kelechi Iheanacho partnership, could it give Manchester City a new lease of life this season? City fans were calling for it ahead of the crucial Capital One Cup semi-final against Everton, and for good reason. The attacking duo seem to work well together and the entrance of Iheanacho in the draw at West Ham at the weekend seemed to make a real difference, as the young Nigerian set up the second equalising goal.
Pellegrini seems to like two strikers
Manuel Pellegrini seemed to be keen on implementing the 4-4-2 system at City, with Aguero having a range of partners so far in Álvaro Negredo, Edin Džeko and Stevan Jovetić. Whilst Wilfried Bony was almost certainly brought in to also play in this formation, injuries have held him back and the two never seem to be fit at the same time.
Whilst others have been Aguero, a quick and tricky player alongside a more traditional big centre forward, the Aguero-and-Iheanacho partnership has already shown it has clear potential. Iheanacho bring a refreshing sense of directness and effort, and always looks to take the ball forward rather than slowing the play down and passing sideways or even backwards.
An extra striker can also free up more space for Aguero, who has been somewhat starved of service in a number of games this season. An extra striker in the mix means the opposition defence has another forward to worry about and not only could Iheanacho serve that purpose, he's also proved this season that he knows where the net is too.
Iheanacho has the ambition and ability
In the games he's played in this season, the youngster has impressed. Five goals and three assists in a season so far comprised of late substitute appearances this season shows great promise. At 19-years-of-age, he's far from the finished article but training and playing alongside a world-class striker in Aguero can only help him improve this.
He has the self-belief and feels he belongs in the first-team, which is the kind of attitude you need if you're to break into the first-team at a big club like City. Added to that, he has the work ethic that City fans absolutely love to see. He doesn't complain when he loses the ball nor does he look to the heavens, he chases it down and pressures the defence. He's willing to track back and do his bit for the team, which can be invaluable.
City fans want to see the academy produce
City fans have been eager to see a player from the Elite Development Squad to break into the first-team side, and Iheanacho is believed to be the player who could be the first to properly make it. Marcos Lopes and Jason Denayer were the other two players to be promoted to the first team at the beginning of the season, but the two were sold and loaned out respectively, although it's hoped by many that Denayer will return to City and follow Iheanacho's footsteps in the senior side.
The fans seem to have a good connection with the youth players, as they're much more grateful for their place in the team. They're keen to prove why they've been given their chance and also keen to show why they should be in the squad more often. If the whole squad had that kind of attitude, City would be able to go far in every single competition.
Whether Pellegrini will listen to the fans and risk the partnership is unclear, but it's surely worth taking. A mix of world-class experience and talented youth could be a winning formula and one of the more regular starting players losing their place would make them fight for their place again, and a bit of healthy competition never hurt anyone.