Kelechi Iheanacho Owen says striker has lost confidence under Guardiola

                            
Former Liverpool and Manchester United striker Michael Owen believes Kelechi Iheanacho has lost confidence under new Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

Having gain promotion to the City first team in 2015, Iheanacho has continued to impress and currently has the best goal per minute ratio in the Premier League.

The striker was handed a start in City 2-1 home win over Burnley but was hurled off at halftime after an unimpressive performance.

Kelechi Iheanacho did not impress in the first half of City 2-1 win over Burnley (BPI / Matt West)

Speaking as a pundit during the game, Owen opined that Guardiola is not getting the best out of the striker.

“Iheanacho isn’t the same player he was once,” Said Owen.

“His confidence has taken a hit, I think he plays with lot of pressure as he is unsure what could happen next unlike when Pellegrini was in charge.

           Michael Owen says Iheanacho does not have the trust of Pep Guardiola (BT Sport)

“He is surrounded by players he knows have the trust of the manager unlike during Pellegrini’s reign where he has the trust of the manager and knows it, he has regressed under Guardiola. He is under pressure,” he concluded.

Iheanacho has four Premier League goals so far this season. 

 Joey Barton Fiery midfielder signs for Burnley despite FA charge

                        

Controversial midfielder Joey Barton returned to the Premier League on Monday after re-signing for Burnley despite having a charge of misconduct hanging over him for alleged betting.

The 34-year-old Englishman, who played a leading role in Burnley's promotion back to the Premier League last term, has been training with the squad since a short and troubled spell at Scottish Premiership outfit Rangers came to a premature end after a bust-up.

"Burnley Football Club can confirm that following detailed discussions regarding the recent FA charge brought against Joey Barton, the club have now reached an agreement with the player and his representatives over a contract with the club until the end of the

season," said a club statement.

"Barton becomes available for selection from January 3 after completing his registration in time to serve a one-match suspension against Manchester City as a result of a carry-over suspension passed down from the Scottish FA relating to a previous offence."

The FA charged Barton, who won one cap for England, just before Christmas alleging he placed 1,260 bets on football from March 2006 to May 2016.

Barton, who has been involved in a succession of ugly incidents on and off the pitch throughout his career, was frozen out at Rangers after he had a row with manager Mark Warburton following the 5-1 thrashing by bitter rivals Celtic in September.

He was made to train with Rangers' under-20 team following a six-week suspension for that offence and was then signed off one day later due to "stress".

He was also slapped with a one-match ban by the Scottish Football Association (SFA) for violating betting rules while playing for Rangers.

Barton admitted breaching the SFA's strict rules barring players betting on matches, even if they don't involve their own club, which were implemented in a bid to preserve sporting integrity