Riyad Mahrez: An undervalued Premier League great?
Premier League losing underrated wing wizard as Riyad Mahrez seals Saudi move.
Manchester City have had their fair share of heroes in recent years.
While David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero have already been immortalised with statues at City's Etihad Stadium, few would bet against Kevin De Bruyne or Erling Haaland receiving similar recognition in the future.
Like any great team, however, City have also been blessed with consistent performers who have flown under the radar. Statues would be a bit far, but these players have certainly played a crucial role in City’s success.
Riyad Mahrez is a player worthy of being in that particular group.
While Al Hilal might have fallen short of luring Kylian Mbappe, there are huge names that are by no means in the twilights of their career heading to the Gulf state.
Mahrez has joined them, making a €35million (£30.4m) move to Al Ahli, and signing a three-year contract.
As arguably one of the Premier League’s most underappreciated players, and a five-time champion in the English top flight, heads for pastures new, More Than A Game reflects on his legacy.
FANTASTIC MR. FOX
During his time with Leicester City, Mahrez received widespread acclaim after driving the Foxes to one of the most incredible triumphs in sporting history.
Mahrez was signed from Le Havre for a measly £450,000, and after a year to settle in during Leicester’s first season back in the big time, he added a sprinkling of genius to a team that relied on Jamie Vardy's pace. Mahrez posted 28 goal contributions (17 goals, 11 assists) in 2015-16 as the 5,000/1 outsiders were crowned Premier League champions.
While Mahrez scooped the PFA Players' Player of the Year award and was named in the PFA Team of the Year, he was pipped to the Premier League and Football Writers' Association prizes by Vardy.
Vardy (24 goals, six assists) was the only player to record more Premier League goal involvements that season, but Mahrez got the better of his team-mate in 2016's Ballon d'Or voting, finishing one place higher in seventh.
The plaudits were well-deserved after Mahrez provided some of the most memorable moments in Leicester's season, curling in a stunning winner against Chelsea and gliding forward to net in their season-defining victory at the Etihad.
Though Mahrez left Leicester under a cloud – attempting to force his way out six months prior to his departure – the Foxes said he had "played his way into the hearts of all supporters" in a farewell statement.
It is no exaggeration to say Mahrez will be remembered as one of Leicester's all-time greats.
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