#26 | Riyad Mahrez - 2020/21 Performances

[Craig]

THe difference between Mahrez scoring this goal, and Mahrez doing his usual get the ball, step-over, fuck up for City is that he's playing Zimbabwe.

He's a professional footballer playing against semi-pros. He's stronger, fitter and faster than them. Against a premier league defender, the initial flick is likely cleared up, but if not, they just show him down the outside instead of falling for the cut inside that no one in this countries fallen for since 2018.

The defender he beats is a backup for Notts County in the conference.

Now there is something to be said for knocking in a nice goal against amateurs, but with Mahrez it just means we suffer when he spends the next game trying to recreate it vs. Spurs.

Not disputing it was against inferior opposition but it’s not like he hasn’t scored many brilliant goals in the Premier League and when he checks back on to his right not left he’ll get a shot in against most. The difference on here if Bernado(not that he’d be quick enough to) scored a similar goal is striking.

Don’t get me wrong I’m far from a Mahrez fan boy he drives me mad at times and I wish Sterling was playing there instead of him. Even more frustrating is seeing Sane score 4 great goals in 4 for club and country playing on the side Pep felt he couldn’t play on.

 

[Fame Monster]

You obviously don’t like him but to say that wasn’t brilliant is just silly. Put it this way I doubt anyone else in our squad could have done what he did with that first touch and then finish it off with his right foot so we’ll.

Amazing goal, I think you need a day-off if you've seen a goal like that and start criticising the defender...plus it doesn't matter who you're up against if you do that with the ball from a 50 yard cross-field pass.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

think he’s finding it difficult to play the Pep way but technically he is very good so there’s still hope & he has a lot to offer

I would agree and say that he doesn't suit the way Pep wants the game played. He had a much different role at Leicester and looked much better .

Doesn't want to go outside his man and always turns into the congesteted areas where he is usually crowded out

Personally I think we should look to transfer him and use the money to strengthen the team, ideally with a player who will go past players and cut back. I'm not familiar with lots of the options out there, but there are others who can probably suggest options.

Good player with excellent ability but not performing at the right level for us.

 

[sandman1]

Sometimes best to put player agendas to one side and appreciate their brilliance when they show it.

They (rightly) get enough stick when they don't show it but the above seems to suggest Mahrez gets it no matter what.

 

[domalino]

Every so often things can be enjoyed for what they are, no analysing or overthinking them ,just watch and enjoy.

I'm just not that impressed that the club record signing and former POTY can make an amateur fall over by cutting inside and outside. What did you expect? Him to be pocketed by Notts County's 5th choice CB?

It looked nice. I guess I'm also conditioned by knowing we'll be made to watch him try it 20x in his next game and get nowhere against a professional defender.

 

[Craig]

I'm just not that impressed that the club record signing and former POTY can make an amateur fall over by cutting inside and outside. What did you expect? Him to be pocketed by Notts County's 5th choice CB?

It looked nice. I guess I'm also conditioned by knowing we'll be made to watch him try it 20x in his next game and get nowhere against a professional defender.

Forget that and enjoy the first touch that was world class and few are gifted enough to do

 

[blueparrot]

I'm just not that impressed that the club record signing and former POTY can make an amateur fall over by cutting inside and outside.

Then you should have done what I did just watch it, but not worry about looking who the opposition was, and who plays for them,nor what the level of each individual player was.

 

[coliotte]

HIS NOT FIT AT ALL AND HORRIBLE THIS YEAR.
i also noticed that he is suffreing a back pain in the last two games.
if he just play like last year i'll be so happy

 

[BigOscar]

Lovely touch on that goal, then gets away with pissing about to actually score. Kind of summed him up tbh, unbelievably ability, takes too long to do anything because he won't use his right foot.

A touch that good put him with a clear goalscoring chance on his right foot, but he instead has to cut back inside, then back outside, then back inside, because he doesn't have the confidence to just shoot with his right in that situation. Sometimes you'll get away with doing that, plenty of times the chance will get away from you.

 

[nash1974]

what about these defenders? what about these defenders? (Nicolás Otamendi,Eliaquim Mangala,Vincent Kompany ....) they are amateurs?