Leicester City are handling a time bomb in Riyad Mahrez. The player has had umpteen number of failed transfer moves away from the club. As for the player himself, Mahrez was previously keen on a move away from Leicester City.
Initially, it was Arsenal who were considering replacing Sanchez with the onus of attacking football from the wings falling on someone like Mahrez had Wenger couped him up. He would have directly walked into the Chelsea side as well, who were also interested in him and stills need some creativity from the wings should Hazard go missing and Mahrez’s sleek style of dribbling football and prior experience of being the best in the league will make the 2015-16 PFA Player of the Year, a valuable addition to any team.
It, however, seemed then that Manchester City were the latest addition to the list of clubs linked with Mahrez and on the deadline day in January he seemed set to move. Pep Guardiola’s boys are playing some inviting football at the moment. They are on the top of the tree in England and Europe. Their attacking prowess has seen the club already score over 100 goals. However, the move collapsed with Leicester playing hardball to a ridiculous extent.
At City, it is unlikely Mahrez will be a regular starter; given Pep has options galore to choose from in the attacking third and the Algerian will most likely be condemned down to a role in the bench. He would still be a great addition to the Citizens as having a player of his calibre on the bench would be a daunting thought for any opposition.
Mahrez seems to have put behind his failed move and is ready to commit to Leicester.
It was a difficult situation but, while I am here, I will give everything for the club – that’s how I am,” he said. “I was very pleased with the way the fans have been with me throughout this. It was important for me. That’s why I will keep giving everything for the club.”
“It’s for moments like this [the goal] that you play football. Never give up. It was brave but sometimes you have to be. Obviously, we didn’t get the win but at least we didn’t lose so that’s the most important thing.”
It seems for Leicester all is fine now but if City’s Arab owners do turn up with the money it would be hard to say no for both the club and the player. And knowing City, they do come knocking more often than not and a player who asked for an exit over a hundred times will be hard to keep.
