Riyad Mahrez has gone AWOL from Leicester City, but here’s why he should be thanking the Foxes.
Leicester midfielder Riyad Mahrez found himself at the heart of transfer talks as the window came to a close on January 31. Manchester City were keen on bringing the Algerian to the Etihad. But, the Foxes turned down each offer the league leaders slid their way — even though they knew of Mahrez’s desire to depart. The transition into February signifies a second-consecutive window in which Mahrez has failed to move to an elite European club. As a result, the 26-year-old has been absent around Leicester grounds over the last few days.
Mahrez feels he may have missed a golden opportunity. However, nothing can be done now. The transfer window is closed, Mahrez is a Leicester player until July — at least. He’s only hurting himself by going AWOL from the Foxes. Although it seems as if Mahrez’s window of opportunity has closed, Leicester may have done him a favor by keeping him for the remainder of the season.
The interest from Man City — unlike many other transfer rumors — seemed sudden. Even though City was in for Alexis Sanchez weeks before, Mahrez’s name being tossed into the ring felt a bit random. Days after City’s interest in Mahrez first being reported, the Citizens were offering around £60 million for the midfielder. A chance such as this doesn’t come up often, but is a move to Manchester in Mahrez’s best interest? Probably not — not right now, at least.
Mahrez is amongst the best midfielders in the Premier League when he’s in top form. He deserves a starting spot at a big club in one of Europe’s top leagues. However, the problem is getting him to play at his best. He showed the world his true ability in 2015/16, when Leicester won the Premier League. Mahrez made 37 appearances with the Foxes, tallying 17 goals and 11 assists. Since then, he’s failed to record 10 goals in either of the last two seasons (currently sits at eight goals). It seems as if each year, a different Mahrez shows up, and that’s the problem. Over the last three years, Mahrez has earned a reputation for being inconsistent. Which — ironically — is what’s set Pep Guardiola’s side apart from the rest of the Premier League this season. Guardiola’s City squad have been a model of consistency.
The question isn’t whether or not Mahrez can get into the City XI — it’s if he can stay in. In fact, that’s the question surrounding him if he were to transfer to nearly any elite club. If Mahrez continued down this path of inconsistency, he’d likely be a substitute and maybe a cup starter in England at a top-six club. However, with Mahrez staying at Leicester for an additional few months, he has the chance to prove to Real Madrid, Chelsea and City he’s not a lazy, moody player in which some now see him. It doesn’t seem as if Mahrez is ready to fight for a spot at an elite club — he’s never had to.
What Leicester has done by keeping Mahrez is extremely beneficial to him. Jumping ship at the first sight (only a few days before the window, mind you) of another club’s interest is never the best way to go about transfers. There are better alternatives out there and Leicester have allowed Mahrez to take his time to really think about his next move while also proving he’s a top-tier midfielder. He may not believe so at this moment — as we can see by his absence — but there will be suitors for the Algerian come July, especially if he plays well. But where would Mahrez’s ideal destination be?
Mahrez seems to fit right into a front-three roll at most clubs. So, at City, he’d be fighting with Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling for a starting place. Yes, Mahrez from 2015/16 could easily overtake either one of those two youngsters. But there are legitimate questions as to if he could in current form. If Mahrez were to land at a top Premier League club, his best chance to start is at Chelsea. All season, Antonio Conte’s been shuffling with the front three. Willian’s emerged as a possible everyday starter again, but Mahrez is a younger alternative. However, it’s looking as if the Premier League may not be Mahrez’s best option.
Neither is La Liga. With Barcelona recently acquiring Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele, it seems unlikely they return for Mahrez this summer. The same goes for Real Madrid. If Los Blancos turn to Mahrez in the summer, it won’t be as a first choice. Madrid is in rebuild mode, Mahrez isn’t terribly high on that list. The unpredictability of Madrid raises eyebrows on Mahrez’s side, as well. While the prestige of the name is tempting, Mahrez would find himself amongst the substitutes at the Bernabeu sooner than later.
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An intriguing destination for Mahrez could be Serie A. Roma showed interest in the Algerian over the summer, but nothing came of the rumors. He’d fit nicely in Roma’s squad and they’re certainly interested. However, if Mahrez plays well enough during the second half of the season in the Premier League, another Serie A giant could set their sights on him — Juventus. Juventus has a history of taking high-potential, inconsistent midfielders from the Premier League — most recently Juan Cuadrado — and making the most out of them. Could Mahrez be next?
Regardless, Mahrez now has until July to mull over his options thanks to Leicester. While his current actions are sometimes necessary to push transfers through these days, it’s unfortunate to see Leicester treated this way. Especially considering the Foxes gave a 23-year-old from Ligue 2 a chance to shine on the world’s biggest stage. Had Leicester not taken a chance on Mahrez in 2014, he likely wouldn’t be linked with the Real Madrid’s and Man City’s of the world, today. Mahrez has an intriguing future — albeit likely not with Leicester — but Leicester has certainly helped Mahrez tremendously throughout his career. He may not see it at the moment, but Mahrez owes a huge thank you to his club.
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