Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini was delighted with Kelechi Iheanacho after the Nigerian scored in victory over Sporting Kansas City.

City beat a host of European clubs to sign Iheanacho after he scored six goals in seven games to claim the Golden Ball at last summer’s Under 17 World Championship.

Kelechi Iheanacho

Pellegrini said: “Kelechi is just 17 years old and he’s a very important player for us in the future. He demonstrated today what he can do in the future. It depends on the way he takes this profession, but I think he’s a good talent.

“We’ve not decided yet (what the plan is for him) because it’s not easy. He’s just 17 and sometimes that’s the problem. We’ll see what he will do in the future.

For the moment he will stay with us and we’ll see when we return to England what will happen with him. But he’s a very important player for the future for the club.

“After the tour we will see what happens with him. There are a lot of things to arrange to play in England but he has an important future.”