Pep Guardiola will no doubt be planning ahead for Manchester City‘s January transfer window, and the Spaniard might consider selling Riyad Mahrez, as the Algerian is no longer good enough to be a regular for the Premier League champions.
The 31-year-old winger joined Man City from Leicester in 2018 in a deal worth £60m and has been an integral part of the Citizens’ success over the past five years.
In total, the quick-footed Mahrez has made 206 appearances for the Cityzens, contributing an impressive 67 goals and 47 assists in that time, but his form so far this term suggests that he won’t be adding too many more to that tally.
The 31-year-old has just one goal in nine Premier League appearances, with WhoScored awarding him a disappointing 6.57 rating for his performances in the top flight.
Last season saw him notch 11 goals and five assists in 26 league appearances, averaging a much more impressive 7.00 rating, which suggests that Mahrez’s decline has been a rapid and unfortunate one for Guardiola and City.
While the Algerian does have two goals in the Champions League, one came from the penalty spot in the 5-0 win over Copenhagen. He was guilty of missing two penalties in draws away to Copenhagen and Borussia Dortmund, which could have easily cost the Cityzens top spot in the group.
The arrivals of Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland and to an extent Jack Grealish have limited Mahrez’s opportunities in Guardiola’s side so far this season, starting only four times in the league, and it seems unlikely that he will be a regular in the second half of the campaign.
That is especially the case when you compare his poor form with the likes of Phil Foden, who has seven goals and three assists in the Premier League this term.
There is no doubt that, at his best, Mahrez was one of the most exciting players in the world, as former City midfielder Michael Brown emphasised in 2018 when he said: “In such tight areas he is great, but if there is space there for him, he can cut left or right, he likes to come inside. Once he’s in the box, you can’t go near him with that late chop that he’s got.
“I wouldn’t want to play against him! He’s got such ability and at times he’s unplayable.”
However, it seems clear that Mahrez has lost a bit of deadliness with age and is no longer the player he once was. Considering that his contract at the Etihad Stadium is set to expire in 2025, City would be best off cashing in on the Algeria international in January while he still retains some value.
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