Mahrez

[lgfualol]

My mate saw him stocking shelves in Asda at about 2am. That probably is why.

[dayday]

As I've mentioned before I don't see what Okazaki offers, he gets pushed of the ball easy, lacks pace, and rarely gets in good shooting positions, I was hoping I would change my mind, yet he is no better.

I went yesterday and don't recall him having a shot, and to be honest I carnt remember the last time he had a shot at goal.

This is why Mahrez has to take his place, that second half was one of the finest away performance I've ever seen, we completely dominated Southampton who are no mugs.

When Mahrez is in the side we play a hell of lot better, you only have to look Vardy and Drinkwaters performances in that second half to back that up.

[Fox92]

As I've mentioned before I don't see what Okazaki offers, he gets pushed of the ball easy, lacks pace, and rarely gets in good shooting positions, I was hoping I would change my mind, yet he is no better.

I went yesterday and don't recall him having a shot, and to be honest I carnt remember the last time he had a shot at goal.

This is why Mahrez has to take his place, that second half was one of the finest away performance I've ever seen, we completely dominated Southampton who are no mugs.

When Mahrez is in the side we play a hell of lot better, you only have to look Vardy and Drinkwaters performances in that second half to back that up.

 

Okozaki works very hard for the team. A few of our goals this season have come from him winning the ball back deep. I agree that attacking/going forward he hasn't looked the same as he did at the start of the season. Mahrez in his role - that number 10 role - with Dyer and Albrighton wide is probably the better option for us at the minute.

[davieG]

Claudio Ranieri has told Riyad Mahrez he is still his number one at Leicester City.

The Algeria international started the season in sensational form, scoring five times in the first six games, but has been left on the substitutes' bench for City's last two games, away at Norwich and Southampton.

 

 

 

City have picked up four points from those two trips to remain unbeaten in their last eight away games.

Mahrez played a key part in the second-half comeback at St Mary's Stadium, setting up Jamie Vardy for an added-time equaliser.

 

 

Ranieri said afterwards he decided to again leave Mahrez out because of his lack of recovery and training time since returning from international duty, but that the winger was still a key player for City.

Ranieri also said he is lucky to be able to have potential game-changers like Mahrez and fellow substitute Nathan Dyer, who teed up Vardy for City's first goal on Saturday.

"Riyad is an intelligent player," said the City boss.

"I explained to him it is difficult for me when everyone comes from the international break. I saw him only on Friday.

"It was very easy training session. If I put all the people who come back from the international matches on the pitch, I don't know.

"I said to him 'stay calm', because for me he is number one, a fantastic player.

"I told him I believe in him and during the match he will play.

"Riyad and Nathan made a very good contribution. I am a lucky manager because when you have to choose good quality players on the bench, it is good.

"We created a lot of chances to draw and win the match. It is important to create chances and keep playing well.

"Sometimes you shoot over or wide, but you have to keep creating chances and then the moment arrives."

Ranieri did not have a recognised striker on the bench and did not select Andrej Kramaric, despite Leonardo Ulloa being ruled out with a thigh strain.

"There was a little problem for Ulloa and we wanted to be sure he would be okay, but I think for the next match he will be available," said Ranieri.

"There is no problem with Kramaric. I chose others to come on the bench.

"I had players who can play in more positions, and can change the match and the team."

Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Leicester-City-winger-Riyad-Mahrez-number-says/story-28012505-detail/story.html#ixzz3p5kDSnpM 
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[FoxFromCoalville]

A few people at the game and people I have spoken to since seem to think that there is a possibility that a deal of some sort has already been arranged for Riyad to be on his way in January and CR hasn't been picking him so the team can get used to playing without him - not fully sold on this myself but potentially a reason?

[Wymsey]

Perhaps Riyad thinks it's time to move on now he's at his peak.

Wouldn't rule their opinions out.

[Swarles Barkley]

A few people at the game and people I have spoken to since seem to think that there is a possibility that a deal of some sort has already been arranged for Riyad to be on his way in January and CR hasn't been picking him so the team can get used to playing without him - not fully sold on this myself but potentially a reason?

makes little sense this for me. surely you would utilise our best playmaker for however little time we have him for.

 

Also if he is going to go, playing him would increase his transfer fee if he continues to play at the level he has shown. He may still leave but that is in no way affecting CR decision not to play him

[Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot]

Absolute nonsense, not saying he won't go in January would certainly be borderline shocked if he's with us at the start of next season but to think that we're not playing him because he's prearranged a move somewhere makes absolutely no sense on every conceivable level.

[fridoux]

[EnglishOxide]

A few people at the game and people I have spoken to since seem to think that there is a possibility that a deal of some sort has already been arranged for Riyad to be on his way in January and CR hasn't been picking him so the team can get used to playing without him - not fully sold on this myself but potentially a reason?

Total bollocks. Use your noggin.

He's going to be worth 20mill+. There is not a chance a deal has been agreed without some leaks to the press from someone.

[Ric Flair]

Hahahahahaaa why the fcuk would he sign a new 4 year deal and then there be an agreement within a few months to leave a few months after that? No way. Just because someone has 6 sensational games at the start of the season doesn't then mean he wants out and a deal is already agreed. He may well continue this form which i'm confident he will and some clubs will start putting the squeeze on him and us to sell but nothing will have been sorted yet. More than likely he'll see the rest of this season out and we will get £20-25 million for him from one of Europe's elite. If they aren't serious and it's the likes of Spurs bidding £15+ million I can see us holding on to him.

[Guest Col city fan]

Personally I think Ranieri is playing Mahrez spot on.

He CAN go missing in games..We've all seen this. He's a real gem but sometimes gems need sending away for a polish. Claudio has said to Mahrez he's not infallible. And if he sets us up for Mahrez to be not be included from the start then he will have to accept it.

Two things:

1. Mahrez has taken this in his stride. When he's not started and come on later he's shone. He's not sulked.

2. I'm liking Ranieri more and more. He's a wily old customer, seems to command respect from his players and knows how to turn a game 'in-game'. He's been a great appointment.

[Guest CityFan 06]

It might have actually helped Mahrez having these two games not starting, gives him a bit of a rest from playing for us in most if not all games so far this season. I don't even necessarily think he was dropped against Norwich or Southampton, I think the Norwich game was tactical and following a win against them Ranieri just keep with that winning team to play Southampton. Pleased for him that he made an impact for us though when coming on against Southampton in second half, and hopefully that has boosted his confidence even more.

[stox259]

Personally I think Ranieri is playing Mahrez spot on.

He CAN go missing in games..We've all seen this. He's a real gem but sometimes gems need sending away for a polish. Claudio has said to Mahrez he's not infallible. And if he sets us up for Mahrez to be not be included from the start then he will have to accept it.

Two things:

1. Mahrez has taken this in his stride. When he's not started and come on later he's shone. He's not sulked.

2. I'm liking Ranieri more and more. He's a wily old customer, seems to command respect from his players and knows how to turn a game 'in-game'. He's been a great appointment.

 

I see your thinking but for me he and Vardy have been our best players and as such should play every minute until a prolonged dip in form. I believe we would have won at Southampton if Mahrez had played from the start.

 

Unfortunately I doubt Riyad will be us for long if he continues to play the way he has so I believe the manager should be making the most of him in each game. I'm sure he'll be playing against Palace.

[Bryn]

Entirely sensible, football is a squad game and you have to manage your resources. I'm certain Riyad took that well, certainly his body language and performance were not suggestive of someone who had felt slighted, he may well have been glad of the rest. We really ought to try and manage Vardy in a similar manner buy unfortunately he's red hot at the moment and leaving him out isn't an option.

[Babylon]

A few people at the game and people I have spoken to since seem to think that there is a possibility that a deal of some sort has already been arranged for Riyad to be on his way in January and CR hasn't been picking him so the team can get used to playing without him - not fully sold on this myself but potentially a reason?

It's because he was diabolical against Arsenal, that's it.

[Fox92]

I like the fact whenever someone doesn't play, it's because he's leaving

 

Football is a squad game. Nobody has a right to play. Mourinho dropped Hazard at the weekend, for instance.

[Babylon]

Football is a squad game. Nobody has a right to play. Mourinho dropped Hazard at the weekend, for instance.

Swap deal lined up in Jan for Mahrez mate, it's obvious.

[Gerard]

There is no way the likes of Mahrez are leaving for £15m -£20m, it's not a "life changing" amount of money for us now and we don't replace players like Mahrez. You only have to watch him to know he's not a flash in the pan and he can do things only very few players on this planet can do, that's obvious skill not luck.

 

If Everton can resist £35m for Stones and West Brom £20m for Berahino then we'll find it a piece of piss to refuse £15m-£20m for a player who has 3.5 years left on his contract.

 

We've already been linked with a £20m move for Breece Embolo so why would we suddenly get weak at the knees as soon as we get an eight figure offer for a player? It would be pathetic if we started salivating at any half decent offer for one of our main players.

[Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot]

I like the fact whenever someone doesn't play, it's because he's leaving

 

Football is a squad game. Nobody has a right to play. Mourinho dropped Hazard at the weekend, for instance.

 

Only 'cos he's off to Madrid innit.

[Foxymcoxy]

There is no way the likes of Mahrez are leaving for £15m -£20m, it's not a "life changing" amount of money for us now and we don't replace players like Mahrez. You only have to watch him to know he's not a flash in the pan and he can do things only very few players on this planet can do, that's obvious skill not luck.

 

If Everton can resist £35m for Stones and West Brom £20m for Berahino then we'll find it a piece of piss to refuse £15m-£20m for a player who has 3.5 years left on his contract.

 

We've already been linked with a £20m move for Breece Embolo so why would we suddenly get weak at the knees as soon as we get an eight figure offer for a player? It would be pathetic if we started salivating at any half decent offer for one of our main players.

This is it. If we were offered a player who we knew was going to perform for us and gel with the team, who was as good as Mahrez (or Vardy while we are at it) we would definitely stump up a £20m bid for him. So we aren't going to accept that and then have to gamble it on an unknown quantity. If someone wants to make us an offer we can't refuse we are talking £30m+ for sure.

[Dan]

Personally think Ranieri's got it spot on with Mahrez, although from now I'd have him starting again.

[Guest]

Personally I think Ranieri is playing Mahrez spot on.

He CAN go missing in games..We've all seen this. He's a real gem but sometimes gems need sending away for a polish. Claudio has said to Mahrez he's not infallible. And if he sets us up for Mahrez to be not be included from the start then he will have to accept it.

Two things:

1. Mahrez has taken this in his stride. When he's not started and come on later he's shone. He's not sulked.

2. I'm liking Ranieri more and more. He's a wily old customer, seems to command respect from his players and knows how to turn a game 'in-game'. He's been a great appointment.

 

I agree.

 

On top of that I think that CR realises Mahrez can't defend for toffee. If he decides to rest Okazaki I'd be happy with Mahrez starting behind Vardy with less defensive responsibility - though he is unable to run at defenders in a defensive manner he will scare them to death offensively.

[Jimmy]

I agree.

 

On top of that I think that CR realises Mahrez can't defend for toffee. If he decides to rest Okazaki I'd be happy with Mahrez starting behind Vardy with less defensive responsibility - though he is unable to run at defenders in a defensive manner he will scare them to death offensively.

of course he can still run at defenders there, Okazaki drops so deep he's almost in midfield, Riyad could do the same

[fuchsntf]

Just to stop speculation, like Vardy, Mahrez is not going anywhere....Ranieri confirms this on Sky.

Plus why sack Pearson get Ranieri if you promise a high PL position to the fans, like our owners have done .

i