indierich06 Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Our very own Fennec Fox has been interviewed by 442 about the upcoming season. I think he's going to be a revelation personally, can't wait to see him running at some of those aging PL fullbacks. http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/meet-cunning-fox-premier-league-full-backs-his-sights-season? The 60-second story Aged 18, it wasn’t even certain that Riyad Mahrez would earn himself a contract with French non-leaguers Quimper. On a trial day five years ago the wiry youngster was pitted against more than a dozen other young upstarts hoping to catch the eye. Then-manager Ronan Salaun recalled a player who “crevé l’écran” (literally translated to ‘burst the screen’, i.e. he was rather good, although “frail”) – but a lack of cash meant the club initially decided they couldn’t afford to give him a contract. Salaun broke the news; Mahrez cried. Little did the tricky Parisian know, however, was that those tears would help him to the Premier League and a World Cup, via three-and-a-half years in Ligue 2. “It touched me,” Salaun later told L'Équipe. “It was a kid who really wanted to succeed.” FACT FILE Date of birth: February 21, 1991 Place of birth: Sarcelles, Paris, France Position: Winger Height: 5ft 10in Clubs: Quimper, Le Havre, Leicester; 19 apps (12 starts), 3 goals International: Algeria; 3 caps, 0 goals The powers-that-be were convinced to sign up the tearful talent, and their decision proved a good one – after a year he was off to Le Havre, although he could have easily ended up elsewhere. Though Lens turned him down for being too weak, PSG and Marseille were keen to add him to their reserve sides. Despite the latter being his supported team, the lure of more regular football was too difficult to resist. Two years later he was a permanent fixture in Le Havre's first team, tormenting second division full-backs in his attempts to catch the eye of Ligue 1 sides – and the nation of his father's heritage. “If I'm in Ligue 1, it will be easier,” he admitted. Instead, Mahrez took the plunge with Leicester in January, with the Foxes powering their way back to the Premier League. Fans quickly realised they had a gem on their hands – as did Algeria, who named him among their 23 for Brazil after an excellent pre-tournament debut against Armenia. Mahrez's World Cup start against Belgium was an eye-opener Why you need to know him If last year’s Championship displays are anything to go by, the 23-year-old could provide regular eye candy for Match of the Day viewers this term. The Algeria international oozed confidence on both wings in his debut half-season at the King Power Stadium, and showed no signs of requiring the adjustment period often needed by young imports. Instead, after five substitute appearances, Nigel Pearson had no choice but to cement him into the Foxes’ young midfield. It helped that his first goal came against East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest, in his fourth appearance. It wasn’t pretty – an 82nd-minute tap-in off a missed Kevin Phillips penalty – but it was crucial in a 2-2 draw at the City Ground to extend Leicester’s unbeaten league run to 12 games. They wouldn’t lose again for another 10. Pearson’s crack scouting team had enjoyed success with another young Gallic import, Anthony Knockaert, the previous campaign. But while the former France U21 international could be explosive and skilful on his day, he was nowhere near as consistent as his new team-mate. Gallic charmers: Knockaert and Mahrez were deadly last season Mahrez is a late bloomer no doubt – even at Le Havre he was just another player in a strong second-tier team for a while – but his rapid progression looks to be no flash-in-the-pan fluke. He was rarely wasteful in possession last season, and unselfish too, which bodes well for the unforgiving baptism of fire to come in the Premier League. He only made his international debut two weeks before the World Cup started, but so good was his double-assist display in the 3-1 win over Armenia that coach Vahid Halilhodzic wasn't afraid to throw him in at the deep end. “When they [Algeria] want to call me, they will call me,” Mahrez said in November last year, while still at Le Havre. “They will not be disappointed.” As it turned out they weren’t, although the tournament didn’t quite go as planned for the 23-year-old. He started the opening game against Belgium, but didn’t feature again as Algeria reached the last 16 and gave champions Germany a run for their money. That’s to take nothing away from a player on the up, though. Leicester rightfully have high hopes for their exciting Desert Fox who could spring a surprise or two. Strengths Bamboozled full-backs were beaten by his trickery and pace on numerous occasions last season, but most importantly there was often the end product to match. He netted three goals and assisted another four in 19 appearances for Leicester last season, including the crucial pearler against Blackpool below. It helps being adept with both feet; while usually employed on the right wing, Mahrez is left-footed and cuts inside often to pose a threat centrally. By being unpredictable with his dribbling, opposition defenders are rarely given a comfortable ride. “He is a quick learner, a very confident young man,” Foxes boss Pearson declared within a month of him signing. Weaknesses A lack of experience doesn’t help Mahrez as he prepares for his first-ever top-flight season, while physically there is still work to do. He was able to cope in the Championship despite a lack of strength, but he must ensure that his fitness levels are high if he’s to finish games with regularity this season. They said... “Mahrez has demonstrated that he can make a difference even without the ball," beamed Algeria boss Halilhodzic after the winger’s impressive debut. “He is technical, but also has that physical force.” After late defeat to Belgium, however, the Bosnian admitted relying on his young players – including Tottenham’s Nabil Bentaleb – too much. “You cannot ask Mahrez or Bentaleb to do more,” he admitted. “They are very good players, but I do not think they can keep pace with a game like this to the end. They can not keep a complete game.” A learning curve. TALENTSPOTTER RATINGSShooting 7 Heading 4 Passing 6 Tackling 5 Pace 8 Dribbling 8 Creativity 7 Work-rate 7 Did you know? Leicester have a Forest player to thank for Mahrez agreeing to join them. Though the Foxes beat off reported interest from Torino, the wide-man’s first choice was to stay in Ligue 1. A call from Djamel Abdoun, however, convinced his international team-mate to take the plunge abroad. Poor Abdoun won't be for much longer, though, after being told he can leave. What happens next Not a great deal, in truth – in the immediate future, at least. First the 23-year-old must prove his worth in the Premier League by helping to keep Leicester there. With three years remaining on his contract, he’s going nowhere anytime soon.
blueonyou Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 I wish you'd stop with this Fennec Fox rubbish, it's very cringe
indierich06 Posted 18 July 2014 Author Posted 18 July 2014 I wish you'd stop with this Fennec Fox rubbish, it's very cringe Yeah, but is it as bad as when people use the word 'cringe'? It's about as redundant and ****ing annoying as 'tinpot'.
indierich06 Posted 18 July 2014 Author Posted 18 July 2014 Yeah, but is it as bad as when people use the word 'cringe'? It's about as redundant and ****ing annoying as 'tin pot'.
Bert Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Pretty sure this is an article by our very own Joe(dot).
ROB-THE-BLUE Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Well I've learnt that he has the same birthday as me!
foxsake Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 I wish you'd stop with this Fennec Fox rubbish, it's very cringe I wish people would stop using the verb form, when instead they should be using the adjective: cringeworthy. It makes this little guy cringe:
Finnegan Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Pretty sure this is an article by our very own Joe(dot). It is. Congrats Joe.
DANGEROUS TIGER Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Mahrez is the "wizard" of our current squad. and I have high hopes of him performing well in the Premiership.
Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 I predict he'll be a Barcelona player in 2017 and we'll win the league on the back of the £250m price tag. This lad needs a chant and not that bloody Riyad, Riyad Riyad... Tony, Tony Tony...
blueonyou Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 I wish people would stop using the verb form, when instead they should be using the adjective: cringeworthy. It makes this little guy cringe: Atleast I don't post 4mb images on forums.
blueonyou Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Needs a chant for sure. Stop posting huge images on forums and spoiling it for mobile users....da da da da.
Dan Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Very good article. I really do have high hopes for him. Absolutely quality.
foxsake Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Stop posting huge images on forums and spoiling it for mobile users....da da da da. The Fennec looks pretty cool on my phone but point taken. His ears alone must be about 2MB.
lgfualol Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 I predict he'll be a Barcelona player in 2017 and we'll win the league on the back of the £250m price tag. This lad needs a chant and not that bloody Riyad, Riyad Riyad... Tony, Tony Tony... Atletico Madrid is my bet
Bristol fox .... Posted 19 July 2014 Posted 19 July 2014 Riiiiyhad Riyhad mahrez He plays for leicester and hes gonna set the world on fire.... To the tune of kasabians eez eh......
johnny the fox Posted 6 August 2014 Posted 6 August 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dluHzQhLcME tell me this ain't our Riyad half way through this video..
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