What an unusual situation! Mahrez has stated his intention to leave Leicester City, but no other club has yet signed this 2016 POY. What’s going on?
After helping Leicester City win the Premier League title in 2016, Riyad Mahrez shocked fans by announcing he wants to leave the club for a new challenge. The 26-year-old claimed he has an agreement with the club to allow him leave this summer.
“Out of the huge admiration and respect I hold for Leicester I wanted to be totally honest and transparent. I have informed the club that I feel now is the time for me to move on,” Mahrez wrote in a statement.
Is Mahrez ready for a big move? I’m not sure.
Football is all about achieving dreams. Mahrez deserves the right–just like any other player–to pursue his. It’s no secret that he favors playing for European giant, Barcelona, and it’s widely speculated (but unconfirmed) that the Catalonian outfit is interested in signing him.
But if Mahrez has indicated his desire to leave, why is he still unsigned?
Courtesy: Daily Express
There’s no doubt that Mahrez is a player with an amazing qualities, especially with his superb left foot. But I’m not convinced about his defensive contribution in terms of helping out at the back.
Mahrez is an attacking player who operates from the right flank, but his inability to track back when his team is on the back foot is a cause of concern. That weaknesses can expose fullbacks and put a team in the danger of conceding goals.
That may be a reason that big clubs are not keen in signing him. And, ironically, it could be possible that he’ll remain with Leicester–despite wanting to leave.
While his form may have dipped slightly after Leicester’s record-breaking season, Mahrez still looks to be an ideal fit for a bigger club, like Monaco, Roma or Dortmund. By the same token, I don’t think he has matured enough to fit with European giants, like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Manchester United, or Juventus.
Declaring himself available for a move is a clear indication of his determination to leave the club. But making that preference public puts club owners in a spot. They’ll benefit only if other clubs want him and they can exact a favourable exchange.
Courtesy: YouTube
Arsenal could be that option. While Arsene Wenger has made good comments about Mahrez, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will make a move for him this summer.
The bottom line is that this entire situation is quite unusual. Mahrez won the 2016 PFA Player of the Year award, will go down in history for helping Leicester City win its first-ever Premier League title, but wants to leave.
Many fans hope Mahrez will stay, especially now that the club begins a new era after the sacking of Claudio Ranieri. If Mahrez does go, there’s no question he’ll be remembered.
