We could show Mahrez we want him to stay

[Redouane]

3 minutes ago, shen said:

What are you on about? If Leicester sell they will benefit financially in the short-term. The risk of selling could be relegation, which is worth a lot more than Mahrez.

 

Why pay him 100k/week? Because the club can afford it and Mahrez will do well to earn more elsewhere.

Why did Payet choose West Ham, why did Defoe choose Sunderland, why did Llorente choose Swansea? Negredo at Boro, Lukaku at Everton, Rondón at WBA etc.

PL clubs are rich, to compete you need to spend.

 

'The only reason Ranieri wanted him to stay this year was for the UCL'. Do you realise how bizarre that statement sounds? We won the Premier League, we're rich, why should we sell out prized assets?

Then explain to me why Ranieri promised Mahrez he could leave after one year?

[shen]

I've made my feelings on Mahrez clear a number of times now.

 

Above all, I am disappointed at the reactions of certain posters on here wanting him gone, being scathing in their judgement of his performances this season.

Not only do I think the criticism is grossly exaggerated and tainted by the perceived 'lazy' approach, but knowing full well what a game changer he can be, which he has been at times this season too, I'm baffled by the sheer arrogance of these posters.

 

When Mahrez arrived here, we were crying out for a player who takes people on, has that bit of magic and technical quality to match. He was a clear upgrade on Knockaert. People were willing to overlook the fact he was light-weight, didn't track back much and even lost possession a bit. Now, because we became champions, Mahrez won POTY, but most importantly I feel, because he signed a new lucrative contract, the tune has changed...

[shen]

9 minutes ago, Redouane said:

Then explain to me why Ranieri promised Mahrez he could leave after one year?

A couple of plausible reasons:

1) Because he knew if Mahrez kept up the same level of performances in the CL, the very biggest clubs would come with serious bids.

2) Ranieri himself had the mentality that we are a small club, when in fact we are probably among the 20-30 richest football clubs in the world.

 

Ranieri saying this does not equate to Ranieri wanting to lose/sell Mahrez, only that if 1) applies he would not stand in Mahrez' way.

[shiv]

When he eventually leaves people will realise how much we miss him.

[fairbanksh]

Totally agree

The anti Mahrez posts show a profound lack of insight and appreciation of probably the most talented player we have had.

Yes he can frustrate and his style can seem laconic but his ball skills and reading of the game are way up

It would be a real shame if he were to leave and show a fundamental lack of ambition 

I honestly don't think apart from the PR Ranieri had much of a clue anyway

[ARM1968]

Anti-Mahrez posts are stupid. No one should be anti Mahrez. He's an unbelievably talented player who is the best I've ever seen at our club. 

 

However we should all be realistic in realising that his head is not right and he himself believes he should be at a bigger club. That is an insurmountable problem imho. 

[Countryfox]

2 minutes ago, ARM1968 said:

Anti-Mahrez posts are stupid. No one should be anti Mahrez. He's an unbelievably talented player who is the best I've ever seen at our club. 

 

However we should all be realistic in realising that his head is not right and he himself believes he should be at a bigger club. That is an insurmountable problem imho. 

 

I think we all know that and nobody really wants him to go; for all his 'faults' his undoubted skill far, far outweighs that ....   BUT when a player starts hinting at wanting more and moving to a 'bigger' club ...   well its human (football supporter) nature for some to say ...  well **** off then !! ....    we just can't help ourselves. 

 

Please stay Riyad ...   but if you don't want to be here ..   well ...   please read above.

[ozvaldo]

Would love to see him here for another season as he's starting to come back into some decent form.

 

However, if he wants to leave, he should.  

 

He'll go down as a legend, for me.  

[Countryfox]

1 minute ago, ozvaldo said:

 

He'll go down as a legend, for me.  

 

As will all of them that won the title.

[The Floyd]

Another argument where people feel the need to take one side and vehemently stick to it. You can appreciate Mahrez and still feel that he has had a disappointing season or argue that his body language doesn't do him any favours. I, like most, would be sad to see him leave but that doesn't enable him to be immune to criticism, and unfortunately his performances have been subpar for the majority of the season. 

[ARM1968]

Country fox - I agree, however some seem to be quite put out about it and a little mean as a result. 

 

As as I say, best player I've ever seen in a city shirt. I wish him all the best whatever he decides. Obviously I'd be disappointed to see him leave, but as I said above it may be for the best all round. 

 

No hard feelings from me. It's the way of the world. 

[shen]

2 minutes ago, The Floyd said:

Another argument where people feel the need to take one side and vehemently stick to it. You can appreciate Mahrez and still feel that he has had a disappointing season or argue that his body language doesn't do him any favours. I, like most, would be sad to see him leave but that doesn't enable him to be immune to criticism, and unfortunately his performances have been subpar for the majority of the season. 

Well if only people would be sensible as sensible about their criticism as you.

Yes, he's been below last season's standards, but he's still contributed. Time and again, despite looking out of sorts, he's still been heavily involved in our most telling attacking moves.

I was very critical of Mahrez (and still am), but there are a few who've taken it to the next level.

It's an endemic problem on internet forums and FT is no different.

[Redouane]

2 minutes ago, The Floyd said:

Another argument where people feel the need to take one side and vehemently stick to it. You can appreciate Mahrez and still feel that he has had a disappointing season or argue that his body language doesn't do him any favours. I, like most, would be sad to see him leave but that doesn't enable him to be immune to criticism, and unfortunately his performances have been subpar for the majority of the season. 

Disappointing season based on last season's, but he hasn't had a disappointing season compared to his teammates. It absolutely infuriates me when some on here claim that he's getting carried by the rest of the squad.

 

We get it, he hasn't lived up to last season, no one is arguing against that. Not even me, a biased Algerian Mahrez fan agree with that. 

 

Mahrez is still the club's second top scorer after Vardy in all competitions, and third after Vardy and Slimani in the premier league. I don't understand if people forget that, or just expect him to outscore Vardy. 

 

[NotTheMarketLeader]

3 hours ago, ZeGuy said:

Embarrassing.

Yes you are correct. 

 

Mahrez has really let himself down his season, some performances have been embarrassing for someone with his talent.

 

In open play in the PL 4 goals (includes the cross that went in at West Ham btw) and 3 assists in a whole season are the facts.

 

Obvious lack of effort or interest most of the time in the PL which has seems due to his wish to play for another club.

 

I don't deny his right to do that if he wishes, but it's totally deluded to suggest he's been anything other than a disappointment.

 

 

 

[Callabinho]

Mahrez is the most technically gifted player ever to lace his boots at this club, and it will be such a shame to see him leave....however I'd like him to go on to bigger things to prove those who doubt him wrong....I'd love to see him at PSG, Barcelona or Real...I truly believe he is that damn good...and he should playing at the very highest level for me, I will never forget what he did last season for us, particularly enjoyed watching him turn Azpeliqueta inside out, possibly one of the best full backs around to date...

[Countryfox]

12 minutes ago, ARM1968 said:

Country fox - I agree, however some seem to be quite put out about it and a little mean as a result. 

 

 

 

Its football mate ....   people get a bit passionate about it and if players can't take a bit of stick ...   well ...    I can think of a few worse jobs that being a professional football player on £100k a week.

 

Personally, I think they should just shut their mouths and get on giving their all for the club that is paying them ...   and if an offer comes in and they want to go and the club accepts that then move on.  Not really rocket science.   It's all this "I'm not happy" sh1te that does my head in. 

[NotTheMarketLeader]

12 minutes ago, Redouane said:

Disappointing season based on last season's, but he hasn't had a disappointing season compared to his teammates. It absolutely infuriates me when some on here claim that he's getting carried by the rest of the squad.

 

We get it, he hasn't lived up to last season, no one is arguing against that. Not even me, a biased Algerian Mahrez fan agree with that. 

 

Mahrez is still the club's second top scorer after Vardy in all competitions, and third after Vardy and Slimani in the premier league. I don't understand if people forget that, or just expect him to outscore Vardy. 

 

It's true he did try in the European games, but notably again many of the goals scored are penalties.

 

If Musa had performed like he has all season, but scored 10 penalties from 20 attempts, it wouldn't make me think he was a decent player - I'd still know he was shit. Likewise 5 penalties(?) don't prove to me that Mahrez has had a good season.

 

To me, a player showing a sublime piece of skill as Mahrez can maybe three times in a game which is followed 9 times out of 10 by passing it to the opposition does not make a good performance.

 

I wonder if you have any statistics to show how many times he's passed to the opposition or lost it dribbling when a simple pass to a team mate would better serve the TEAM? 

 

In summary in this season; not enough end product from open play.

 

[NotTheMarketLeader]

3 hours ago, shen said:

I've made my feelings on Mahrez clear a number of times now.

 

Above all, I am disappointed at the reactions of certain posters on here wanting him gone, being scathing in their judgement of his performances this season.

Not only do I think the criticism is grossly exaggerated and tainted by the perceived 'lazy' approach, but knowing full well what a game changer he can be, which he has been at times this season too, I'm baffled by the sheer arrogance of these posters.

 

When Mahrez arrived here, we were crying out for a player who takes people on, has that bit of magic and technical quality to match. He was a clear upgrade on Knockaert. People were willing to overlook the fact he was light-weight, didn't track back much and even lost possession a bit. Now, because we became champions, Mahrez won POTY, but most importantly I feel, because he signed a new lucrative contract, the tune has changed...

Not for me. 

 

My tune has changed because he has not produced what he is capable of.

 

From open play in the PL he has been thoroughly below par with 4 goals and 3 assists, which is simply not good enough.

[Redouane]

1 minute ago, NotTheMarketLeader said:

It's true he did try in the European games, but notably again many of the goals scored are penalties.

 

If Musa had performed like he has all season, but scored 10 penalties from 20 attempts, it wouldn't make me think he was a decent player - I'd still know he was shit. Likewise 5 penalties(?) don't prove to me that Mahrez has had a good season.

 

To me, a player showing a sublime piece of skill as Mahrez can maybe three times in a game which is followed 9 times out of 10 by passing it to the opposition does not make a good performance.

 

I wonder if you have any statistics to show how many times he's passed to the opposition or lost it dribbling when a simple pass to a team mate would better serve the TEAM? 

 

In summary in this season; not enough end product from open play.

 

He had 5 successful penalties out 7 (including the one missed vs City).  He's still at 5 goals and 5 assists without counting penalties.  

 

9 times out 10 losing the ball? He loses it sometimes, but don't exaggerate. It's a risk that he takes to make a play. Now tell me, if he isn't to take risks and just pass the ball back and slow the game up even more, what benefit would that gain the team? If Mahrez isn't making plays, then who will? 

[the fox]

1 hour ago, Countryfox said:

 

As will all of them that won the title.

Not all are club legends (at least for me).  it's Kasper, wes, drinky, king, mahrez and vardy. (Those already are club legends)

Possible legends are: simmo, Marc, fuchs, huth and maybe shinji.

[Countryfox]

10 minutes ago, Redouane said:

if he isn't to take risks and just pass the ball back and slow the game up even more,

 

Pass forward, pass sideways,  move it on quickly, but just don't keep giving it away when the whole team are surging forward.

[shen]

Just now, NotTheMarketLeader said:

Not for me. 

 

My tune has changed because he has not produced what he is capable of.

 

From open play in the PL he has been thoroughly below par with 4 goals and 3 assists, which is simply not good enough.

Your criticism goes far beyond "4 goals and 3 assists".

 

You've called him lazy (citing an 'obvious lack of effort' and insinuating a lack of loyalty),shit at penalties, dismissed goals from set pieces, dismissed his CL form, refused to acknowledge his attacking contribution in the sense of chance creation and criticised him for taking people on instead of passing to teammates.

 

You just can't help but stick your knife in deep and now you're downplaying it by saying "In summary in this season; not enough end product from open play"?

If this was your only gripe, then that is fair criticism and one everyone has conceded.

It's strikingly similar to Hazard and his last few couple of seasons at Chelsea.

Good thing they sold the overpaid, underperforming star player... oh wait.

 

In the end, virtually no Leicester player has 'stats' that compare well to last season's efforts. Yet we are on course for a top 10 finish and have reached the quarter finals in our first ever CL campaign and Mahrez has been a key component in the side that achieved this, whether you like it or not.

[Countryfox]

2 minutes ago, the fox said:

Not all are club legends (at least for me).  it's Kasper, wes, drinky, king, mahrez and vardy. (Those already are club legends)

Possible legends are: simmo, Marc, fuchs, huth and maybe shinji.

 

I think you understand the point I was trying to make ...

[ZeGuy]

59 minutes ago, NotTheMarketLeader said:

Yes you are correct. 

 

Mahrez has really let himself down his season, some performances have been embarrassing for someone with his talent.

 

In open play in the PL 4 goals (includes the cross that went in at West Ham btw) and 3 assists in a whole season are the facts.

 

Obvious lack of effort or interest most of the time in the PL which has seems due to his wish to play for another club.

 

I don't deny his right to do that if he wishes, but it's totally deluded to suggest he's been anything other than a disappointment.

 

 

 

Yes he's been underperforming and even crap sometimes, frustrating, whatever, like the whole team.  Even more so when we know what he is capable of. No one did argue with that.

 

Yet he's getting an insane amount of stick, especially from you. Your consistency at slagging him off in every single fvcking post about him and refusing to see anything positive from him is staggering. We all have our bias but yours are at a whole other level. When it comes to Mahrez, you're one of the most unfair, if not the most unfair, critics on this forum, which is quite an achievement, I must say.

 

How you could draw this kind of delirious conclusion without the slightest proof to back it up says volumes about your bias.

[Babylon]

4 hours ago, Redouane said:

Why pay him 100k /week to stay in the mid table. The only reason Ranieri wanted him to stay this year was for the UCL.

Becasue the owners have ambitions beyond mid table. We wanted him to stay because he's one of our best players, we'd keep him for the length of his contract if we could... the issue is him wanting to try himself at a massive team, not us not wanting him.