Riyad Mahrez. One of City’s best ever players. Should he stay or go?

[st albans fox]

The brum newspaper report on the game referred to him as the ‘soon to be Man City player ’ ............

[HighPeakFox]

4 hours ago, st albans fox said:

The brum newspaper report on the game referred to him as the ‘soon to be Man City player ’ ............

That's you well and truly rustled then... 

[whetstonefox]

If he scores the winner in the Cup Final i’d happily let him go for free to any non premier league team. 

 

May as well enjoy him for the last whatever games we have left this season, seems to have a smile on his face again, let’s hope the Vardy & Mahrez show has a few spectacular moments to offer us before the end of May.

[Leamington Fox]

On 05/03/2018 at 16:03, Ted Maul said:

As long as the deal is right for the club, then he can go with my blessing.

 

It would be nice if we reinvested the money (left over from his replacement) on a new stand to increase the stadium capacity- what a legacy that would be.

And perhaps name the stand in his honour.

[Guest]

1 minute ago, Leamington Fox said:

And perhaps name the stand in his honour.

OMG!

[the fox]

If FIF was stuck in a room with hitler, mahrez and bin laden and was given a gun with 2 bullets, he would shoot mahrez twice!

[fuchsntf]

9 minutes ago, the fox said:

If FIF was stuck in a room with hitler, mahrez and bin laden and was given a gun with 2 bullets, he would shoot mahrez twice!

thats totally unfair..!!!   

He'd watch Mahrez,Run Rings around them send them down in a fatal Spin,

Then shoot Mahrez twice.  @FIF. Knows how to get His  priorities right!!

 

[sylofox]

44 minutes ago, Leamington Fox said:

And perhaps name the stand in his honour.

You are taking the piss.

[Max Wall]

Whilst all fans get annoyed by players not honouring their contracts, 'twas ever thus.

I don't think we should keep Riyad if we receive what is deemed a suitable offer by the owners and he wants to go.

Obviously he hasn't covered himself in glory during two transfer windows now but both times he has actually come back to training and given his best in games. Many players denied a move don't even do that.

It'll be a sad day when he leaves as a lot of our creativity and most of our magic will go with him but I, for one, will want him to do well unless he is playing us.

 

[Ted Maul]

6 hours ago, st albans fox said:

The brum newspaper report on the game referred to him as the ‘soon to be Man City player ’ ............

The soon to be Man City player put the soon to be recipients of £90m into the lead on the hour.

[Guest]

34 minutes ago, the fox said:

If FIF was stuck in a room with hitler, mahrez and bin laden and was given a gun with 2 bullets, he would shoot mahrez twice!

I want it to be known that I like Mahrez and think he's a very good player. It just seems that people are re-writing history and ignoring all the negatives that he has caused.

 

Before 2015/16 he was a bit part learning his trade, 7 goals, 7 assists with no defence over the 2 seasons with Leicester.

 

In 2015/16 he was great but let's not get carried away with media hype, Leicester won the league because of their defence, they only conceeded 36 goals despite having their box pummelled for about 70% of every game and Mahrez was the least important player with regards defence.sure it's difficult to decide who was most important in a team of players that complemented each other so well but I and many people agree that Huth was the most important player in the team that season closely followed by Kanté and Vardy.

 

In 2016/17 Mahrez was poor - like most in the team - but he was one of the few who didn't improve after the sacking 6 goals and 3 assists in the prem was poor for a player who doesn't contribute defensively. This year the first half of the season no-one was outstanding, I'd say Okazaki was our best player, Mahrez despite leaving us in the lurch since January is possibly our best player of the second half of the season, overall I'd argue that Ndidi is our best player this season. 

 

So, IN MY OPINION, Mahrez despite being highly talented hasn't even been our best player over the 5 years he has been with us but the overriding reason that I couldn't care less is that he doesn't want to be here and acts detrimentally to the best interests of the team. 

 

Disagree if you want but that's my opinion. Clear enough?

[the fox]

30 minutes ago, FIF said:

I want it to be known that I like Mahrez and think he's a very good player. It just seems that people are re-writing history and ignoring all the negatives that he has caused.

 

Before 2015/16 he was a bit part learning his trade, 7 goals, 7 assists with no defence over the 2 seasons with Leicester.

 

In 2015/16 he was great but let's not get carried away with media hype, Leicester won the league because of their defence, they only conceeded 36 goals despite having their box pummelled for about 70% of every game and Mahrez was the least important player with regards defence.sure it's difficult to decide who was most important in a team of players that complemented each other so well but I and many people agree that Huth was the most important player in the team that season closely followed by Kanté and Vardy.

 

In 2016/17 Mahrez was poor - like most in the team - but he was one of the few who didn't improve after the sacking 6 goals and 3 assists in the prem was poor for a player who doesn't contribute defensively. This year the first half of the season no-one was outstanding, I'd say Okazaki was our best player, Mahrez despite leaving us in the lurch since January is possibly our best player of the second half of the season, overall I'd argue that Ndidi is our best player this season. 

 

So, IN MY OPINION, Mahrez despite being highly talented hasn't even been our best player over the 5 years he has been with us but the overriding reason that I couldn't care less is that he doesn't want to be here and acts detrimentally to the best interests of the team. 

 

Disagree if you want but that's my opinion. Clear enough?

can you just take a joke?

 

He has been here for a bit over 4 years. and he is the best player in this team since the title winning season.

 

Was trying to force a move wrong? Of course. But what you fail to mention is the fact that he cracks down and gets down to business afterwords.

He has better returne in the last 3 season than the only player that's comparable in the body of work (hazard). he's considered the best player outside the top 6 by most football fans. he has more non-penalty goals in the league than vardy this seaon and a great assist tally.

 

Only Salah and Mahrez are in the top 10 in both goals and assists in the league this season. (10th in scoring and joint 6th in assists)

 

His return in the last 3 season is elite. 11 goals and 7 assists on average in the last 3 season(and he only played 28 games this season)

What i'm trying to say is, FIF. you sound bitter. You try overcompensating for the fanboy'ism in this forum by taking the side of the other extreme. Just enjoy the ride, man. 

Edited 11 March 2018 by the fox

[the fox]

And FIF, usually you let bad things die in the past when you are remembering the people who gave you joy. i didn't know that Muzzy and Weller handed a transfer request until not long ago because older fans didn't talk about that much (the latter even refused to play).

If he was sulking and playing bad, you would've seen fans in this forum on his back. But you can't expect them to criticize a player who playing good, do you?

Edited 11 March 2018 by the fox

[Old Fox]

25 minutes ago, FIF said:

I want it to be known that I like Mahrez and think he's a very good player. It just seems that people are re-writing history and ignoring all the negatives that he has caused.

 

Before 2015/16 he was a bit part learning his trade, 7 goals, 7 assists with no defence over the 2 seasons with Leicester.

 

In 2015/16 he was great but let's not get carried away with media hype, Leicester won the league because of their defence, they only conceeded 36 goals despite having their box pummelled for about 70% of every game and Mahrez was the least important player with regards defence.sure it's difficult to decide who was most important in a team of players that complemented each other so well but I and many people agree that Huth was the most important player in the team that season closely followed by Kanté and Vardy.

 

In 2016/17 Mahrez was poor - like most in the team - but he was one of the few who didn't improve after the sacking 6 goals and 3 assists in the prem was poor for a player who doesn't contribute defensively. This year the first half of the season no-one was outstanding, I'd say Okazaki was our best player, Mahrez despite leaving us in the lurch since January is possibly our best player of the second half of the season, overall I'd argue that Ndidi is our best player this season. 

 

So, IN MY OPINION, Mahrez despite being highly talented hasn't even been our best player over the 5 years he has been with us but the overriding reason that I couldn't care less is that he doesn't want to be here and acts detrimentally to the best interests of the team. 

 

Disagree if you want but that's my opinion. Clear enough?

Very Good Player???/ Never one to understate the bleeding obvious....

 

In Leicester City's history we have won the Top League.....once! and probably will never win it again and he was one of the main reasons we won it - creating and scoring goals is the hardest part of top flight football and he is in my opinion the most gifted creative player to EVER have played for our club. Yes, badly advised and impetuous with his behaviour but he is a relatively young man with aspirations to play at the highest level of the game consistently which his ability undoubtedly deserves.....

 

The vast majority (80%+) I would imagine recognise that we are very lucky to watch him and the day he leaves will be a very sad day for all true Leicester fans and afterwards those doubters will suddenly realise what we have to replace.

 

Watched some great players over the past 40 years + but he is without doubt imo the best player I have seen and currently is in the Top 5 players in the premier league and probably will walk into all the Top 6 and maybe the vast majority of the Top clubs in Europe.

 

Our owners have not given up on keeping him and will talk to him about a new deal as they will with Vards as they want to make the Club a Top 6 side consistently but they need to get the recruitment sorted and clear out a few to evolve the team but look at the last 5 years and compare to the last 20 and you will recognise how far we have come so quickly.

 

Mahrez has ambition and we need to try to match it but if he leaves for a Top Club I don't think anyone could resent him as he has been extraordinary for City alongside the likes of Morgan, Schmeichel, Simpson, Vards etc.....

[Foxxed]

His assist was fantastic yesterday. And it changed the game. But it raises a question: who else in our team could do that? There's undoubtedly a lot of skill in the team and a lot of undeveloped talent. But you'd be stretching it to assume we can find a player to replace him, even with coffers full of money.

 

When he leaves, and I believe he must, it'll be the end of an era. Kante's departure was the first thing that marked the end: we could no longer protect our defence from direct attack. The league's change of style was the second: Shakespeare found that although we could still put in decent performances against the top 6 (although not win) the rest would successfully play us at our own game.

 

Mahrez's departure (and to a lesser extent Drinkwater's) will be the final thing that marks the end: an end to the main channel of creativity. Vardy may well end up waiting for a ball from Drinkwater or Mahrez that will never come. It seems the ideal opportunity to start a new team and a new tactic.

 

I hope in the pre season Puel persists with Barnes, Diabate, Gray and Ian with Ndidi and perhaps Hamza protecting them. They're young, they'll improve at different rates but if we ever want to return to the kind of creativity and magic that Mahrez provides it'll more likely be a team effort than an individual one, and if that can involve our growing youth development it would be a fantastic journey for the club.

Edited 11 March 2018 by Foxxed

[Sampson]

RE: POTY. I criticised him a lot lwst season but Mahrez has definitely been player of the season this year for me. Not sure he'll win it because of the transfer request but he's been our best player no doubt about it for me.

 

Vardy is a comfortable second and Ndidi and Maguire have had good seasons Too, but nah, Mahrez should definitely be winning our POTY (I don't think he will, but he definitely should).

[the fox]

24 minutes ago, Foxxed said:

His assist was fantastic yesterday. And it changed the game. But it raises a question: who else in our team could do that? There's undoubtedly a lot of skill in the team and a lot of undeveloped talent. But you'd be stretching it to assume we can find a player to replace him, even with coffers full of money.

 

When he leaves, and I believe he must, it'll be the end of an era. Kante's departure was the first thing that marked the end: we could no longer protect our defence from direct attack. The league's change of style was the second: Shakespeare found that although we could still put in decent performances against the top 6 (although not win) the rest would successfully play us at our own game.

 

Mahrez's departure (and to a lesser extent Drinkwater's) will be the final thing that marks the end: an end to the main channel of creativity. Vardy may well end up waiting for a ball from Drinkwater or Mahrez that will never come. It seems the ideal opportunity to start a new team and a new tactic.

 

I hope in the pre season Puel persists with Barnes, Diabate, Gray and Ian with Ndidi and perhaps Hamza protecting them. They're young, they'll improve at different rates but if we ever want to return to the kind of creativity and magic that Mahrez provides it'll more likely be a team effort than an individual one, and if that can involve our growing youth development it would be a fantastic journey for the club.

I miss that already

[Guest Col city fan]

33 minutes ago, Foxxed said:

His assist was fantastic yesterday. And it changed the game. But it raises a question: who else in our team could do that? There's undoubtedly a lot of skill in the team and a lot of undeveloped talent. But you'd be stretching it to assume we can find a player to replace him, even with coffers full of money.

 

When he leaves, and I believe he must, it'll be the end of an era. Kante's departure was the first thing that marked the end: we could no longer protect our defence from direct attack. The league's change of style was the second: Shakespeare found that although we could still put in decent performances against the top 6 (although not win) the rest would successfully play us at our own game.

 

Mahrez's departure (and to a lesser extent Drinkwater's) will be the final thing that marks the end: an end to the main channel of creativity. Vardy may well end up waiting for a ball from Drinkwater or Mahrez that will never come. It seems the ideal opportunity to start a new team and a new tactic.

 

I hope in the pre season Puel persists with Barnes, Diabate, Gray and Ian with Ndidi and perhaps Hamza protecting them. They're young, they'll improve at different rates but if we ever want to return to the kind of creativity and magic that Mahrez provides it'll more likely be a team effort than an individual one, and if that can involve our growing youth development it would be a fantastic journey for the club.

Absolutely spot on

Vardy only made that run because he KNEW the ball was coming and that Mahrez would drop it on his foot. Of course, the finish was still sensational and may hopefully be goal of the season.

Mahrez and Vardy play like they are connected to each other. Both physically and mentally.

When we lose Mahrez it will have a tremendous impact on Vardy I fear.

[norwichfox]

3 hours ago, Leamington Fox said:

And perhaps name the stand in his honour.

East Midland Airport Stand...sounds good it has that ring to it...

[Daggers]

[sylofox]

21 hours ago, Old Fox said:

Very Good Player???/ Never one to understate the bleeding obvious....

 

In Leicester City's history we have won the Top League.....once! and probably will never win it again and he was one of the main reasons we won it - creating and scoring goals is the hardest part of top flight football and he is in my opinion the most gifted creative player to EVER have played for our club. Yes, badly advised and impetuous with his behaviour but he is a relatively young man with aspirations to play at the highest level of the game consistently which his ability undoubtedly deserves.....

 

The vast majority (80%+) I would imagine recognise that we are very lucky to watch him and the day he leaves will be a very sad day for all true Leicester fans and afterwards those doubters will suddenly realise what we have to replace.

 

Watched some great players over the past 40 years + but he is without doubt imo the best player I have seen and currently is in the Top 5 players in the premier league and probably will walk into all the Top 6 and maybe the vast majority of the Top clubs in Europe.

 

Our owners have not given up on keeping him and will talk to him about a new deal as they will with Vards as they want to make the Club a Top 6 side consistently but they need to get the recruitment sorted and clear out a few to evolve the team but look at the last 5 years and compare to the last 20 and you will recognise how far we have come so quickly.

 

Mahrez has ambition and we need to try to match it but if he leaves for a Top Club I don't think anyone could resent him as he has been extraordinary for City alongside the likes of Morgan, Schmeichel, Simpson, Vards etc.....

You just got to love stuff like this. So putting his football aside anyone that thinks his attitude stinks and he acts like a spoilt brat is not a true fan  

 

Second if he truly was as good as you claim (walk into any top six side or top side in Europe) He would be long gone.

 

All we've had is two half arsed bids one not even from the type of club you elude to.

 

He may be one of our best ever players but it don't make him world class. The lack of serious interest says a lot of top managers and clubs feel the same.

 

Bit as my opinion differs to yours and I'm not a true fan you won't be reading this.

[MC Prussian]

We've got the luxury of trying to convince him to stay for another season or cash in big-time this summer (or in January 2019 the latest).

 

No matter where he goes next, my concern is with our management and finding a suitable replacement for Mahrez, if there ever was one in the first place.

There's got to be at least a handful of younger players for a reasonable amount of money who could fill his shoes with a similar playing style and skill.

 

Basel's Elyonoussi being one of them. Or Quincy Promes (Spartak), Florian Thauvin (Olympique Marseille), Pablo Sarabia (Sevilla), Kingsley Coman (Bayern; out injured until the summer, though) or - wait for it - Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke).

[the fox]

58 minutes ago, sylofox said:

You just got to love stuff like this. So putting his football aside anyone that thinks his attitude stinks and he acts like a spoilt brat is not a true fan  

 

Second if he truly was as good as you claim (walk into any top six side or top side in Europe) He would be long gone.

 

All we've had is two half arsed bids one not even from the type of club you elude to.

 

He may be one of our best ever players but it don't make him world class. The lack of serious interest says a lot of top managers and clubs feel the same.

 

Bit as my opinion differs to yours and I'm not a true fan you won't be reading this.

Him and Vardy are world class! Put their numbers against most top flight players in their position in the last 3 seasons and their numbers will speak nothing but the truth (especially Mahrez, his numbers compaired to the "world class" players like coutinho and hazard are really something).

They will never be called world class as long as they play here, simple as. I would hazard a guess that if they both played in a top 6 club they would be called world class in no time.

Edited 12 March 2018 by the fox

[rachhere]

2 hours ago, Gerbold said:

I believe he would be well-advised to stay at Leicester. The owners wealth, ambition and commitment to the team are proven. He can afford to give it another season but City need to be more circumspect than Mahrez...about how his character might affect the other players. In that time he could be wise if he sought advice on how to optimise his focus and minimise the psycho-dramas he is subject to.

The squad now has, possibly, more potential than it did two seasons ago. With Iborra, Silva and Diabate the Club has, finally, apparently, after the conspicuous big spending, bought wisely. Kante is no longer missed as much with the emergence of N'Didi. Iheanacho may be finding his feet here...literally?

Mahrez could be the big fish in this medium-sized pond. After all, how many people does he need to love him?

I think this too. He does seem quite... delicate..! I think he will struggle going from a team which is basically built around him (and JV) to being part of a squad and no longer the main man. Let's be honest, he frustrates us with how easily he loses the ball in our own half - think it could be painful for him in winning over fans in the top top teams.