Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez currently is a broken man, and who could blame him? When a dream move away to a bigger club has been halted, not once but twice, you would argue the Algerian international has a right to feel aggrieved at Leicester’s decision to block his request at a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Mahrez’ grievance at the club has led him to deliberately miss two days of training, which leads us to question whether Mahrez is going about this the right way. The 26-year-old handed in another transfer request once he learned of Manchester City’s interest during the end of January’s window, with the Premier League leaders placing two Deadline Day bids – the last of those understood to be a player-plus-cash offer worth an estimated £60million.
It has been reported by Sky Sports News, that the player has been left depressed by Leicester’s decision not to accept the incoming bids from Manchester City, the club valuing Mahrez at a figure of around £80m. According to various sources, Leicester were keen to pursue Patrick Roberts – on loan at Celtic – as part of the deal to allow Mahrez to leave the King Power but when that failed to materialise, negotiations became a sticking point with City not willing to improve on their £60million bid.
Mahrez’ dream of top-level has been put on hold. The player won the Premier League title two years ago, and wants more success. He thinks he has gone as far as he can with his current club and desperately wants to seek pastures new, and a move to City certainly would have won him his second Premier league winners medal with the Etihad outfit running away with the league. At an age where he is coming towards his prime years, his chance at more glory on the grand stage is one cannot miss out on, especially considering his unerring ability on the pitch.
The immediate addition of Mahrez would have added more salt to the wounds of their rivals, especially after United’s capture of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal. Even their efforts in the Transfer market may not be enough to catch City with just over 10 games of the season still to play.
But with the injury to Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus, Pep Guardiola thought a move for Mahrez will more than make up for their absence – with both players representing key factors in the clubs strong pursuit of the Premier League title. Two injuries he thinks may not grant City the Premier League title sooner than he would like.
Though Leicester’s resistance to sell their star man has not only hampered the ambitions of Guardiola to strengthen his squad but also the ambitions of a player who feels he has given everything to Leicester City, especially in that amazing fairy tale season capturing the Premier League title – a feat that may never be repeated again. Along with the scoring feats of Jamie Vardy, it was Mahrez’ contributions, moments of brilliance that allowed Leicester the opportunity to make history. It must have been a huge surprise to the club that they were able to keep Mahrez after such a fantastic season two years ago.
Nonetheless, Leicester can have no complaints with the way Mahrez has conducted himself until now after his efforts in the summer – going the extreme lengths finding himself in Paris – to secure that dream move away. But with eight goals and eight assists in 24 appearances this season, he has been working towards securing himself a much better future, something he does not see at the King Power. Who can blame him? He famously aided the club in their Premier League title win shortly before placing them on the big stage in the Champions League the next season.
Mahrez has achieved all he can at the club, you can almost forgive him for aggressively pursuing a much bigger opportunity. Though, missing training and sulking may not get you that dream move after all. Managers from those “giant” clubs may change their stance about pursuing a player who could potentially cause damage to their dressing room atmosphere. Who would blame Guardiola for pulling out of a potential deal in the summer after Mahrez’ recent actions?
As seen in the video above, Mahrez on his day is arguably one of the best forwards in the Premier League, it makes you wonder why he is expressing his frustrations at the club in this manner. Why can’t Mahrez just make up with the Leicester hierarchy and get back to playing at his best? Not for the benefit of Leicester but for himself, the Algerian winger can’t secure a move away if he is not playing. Which top manager will tout his services in the summer when he’s in this strop?
The least Mahrez can do for himself is play for personal pride, get back to your best for the rest of the season and then, just maybe, he may get his long awaited dream move. However, Leicester now have a job on their hands getting back on good terms with their main man.
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