Riyad Mahrez - 2018/2019 performances

[BlueLook]

1) Pep doesn't need to say he's out of favour, 3 league starts in 2019 (one of which he got pulled off just after halftime) shows us all how out of favour he is.
2) He reported that Mahrez is complaining around the CFA about a lack of game time
3) He was correct, Mahrez didn't play in any of our last 3 games (Spurs, Spurs, Crystal Palace).

1) He played 88 minutes of the CL QF. Not mentioned. He was rotated and had good output vs Watford and Bournemouth. Him and Sane were subbed out about the same time vs Swansea. it looks like he lost form after Christmas and was struggling to get back until around the Bournemouth game.
2) The Daily Fail journo said this in the article title I found: "Forgotten man Riyad Mahrez threatens to quit Man City as he complains about a lack of opportunities". I read the contents of the article and all I can find is this: "The £60million summer capture has been an unused substitute in each of City's last three games at a crucial stage of the campaign. And Sportsmail understands Mahrez was making his displeasure known around the club's City Football Academy training centre for some time prior to that." and that's it.
So, he is basing a huge claim that the player is threatening to quit on the premice that his Sportsmail (a person, a group?) understands that Mahrez shows some displeasure around the CFA centre. In fact, I refer you to the interview given by Mahrez on the official site on April 17 where he gives a totally opposite statement.
3) You're right. I forgot the Palace game.

 

[Fred_Quimby]

Thought this guy might settle down and become a real asset for us like a lot of our signings but it doesn’t look like it. Been here long enough now to know the score. Never want anyone to leave us but I think he has had his chance.

Probably play Wednesday now (and score the winner).

 

[MrsCity]

The penalty v the Dippers was unforgivable! Only a winner tomorrow can make up for it. Know we’ve had much worse players than Mahrez, esp on a talent scale, but to me there’s something off about him, he doesn’t have the best of attitudes

 

[BlueLook]

Feeling like the Lone Ranger .. I'm off

 

[St.Pauli support]

As a player Pep knows how Mahrez feels, and I assume Pep expects Mahrez to be unhappy.
There must be something wrong if Mahrez would be happy on the bench.

BUT: Pep certainly would answer, 'ok show me your desire on the training pitch. Then you'll play.'

After all we should not leave out Txiki and Pep of being responsible.
It's obvious Mahrez was signed to change his style of play.
He didn't play deep sitting teams at Leicester, he was on the counter with Vardy, amounts of space in front of him.
The opposite is the case now.

So there is always a risk a player doesn't change the way you'd like, or it takes too long.
Such a risk is on Txiki's and Pep's side, they knew it might be difficult for Mahrez.

Add to that, the competition on RW are Raz and Bernardo! Was there any alternative at LCFC on RW?

Bottom line this isn't even news. An unhappy bench player, wow.

As a squad member though he has to act and talk in full support of Man City at this stage and care for the rest in 4 weeks.

 

[Tevez City]

As you have made a comment that makes no sense to the majority of us.....Please provide your reasoning as to why you believe Mahrez can perform the same role as Gundogan.

Does what Pep have done in converting Delph & Zinchenko to LB makes sense before, or converting Kolarov from LB to CB ?

Sometimes players can do well in multiple positions, and you can't know that unless you give them a proper run there to see how well they adapt.

Bernardo has done really well as RW, and he was exceptional as CM.

Gundogan done OK to fill in for Silva/ KDB when needed, and he done well replacing Fernandinho in some games.

Thats why I think Mahrez may do well to fill in the CM role ( KDB/Silva ), and we can't really know that until Pep tries him there.

Mahrez has very good ball control, keeps the ball under pressure well, good passer and can cause danger from outside the box like KDB.

Thats why I think he can fill CM position.

 

[Dax777]

My thoughts exactly. Regardless of who you are it takes time to get used to how we play and that goes for any player - even bernado was used similar in his first season, did he start griping about his technical ability warranting more starts

If mahrez is doing this then Pep should boot him out the door

My sense is that this is an untrue story. And too many who are not fans if Riyad are too quick to believe it.

He is very skilled and can fit in eventually. Hope he does. Or we'd have wasted a transfer record fee.

 

[Easy]

Think it’s true he’s complaining about game time. What player wouldn’t ?

Mahrez came out recently and said he’s still learning so I highly doubt he now believes he should get starts purely based on his technical ability lol looks like a straight lie to me.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Does what Pep have done in converting Delph & Zinchenko to LB makes sense before, or converting Kolarov from LB to CB ?

Sometimes players can do well in multiple positions, and you can't know that unless you give them a proper run there to see how well they adapt.

Bernardo has done really well as RW, and he was exceptional as CM.

Gundogan done OK to fill in for Silva/ KDB when needed, and he done well replacing Fernandinho in some games.

Thats why I think Mahrez may do well to fill in the CM role ( KDB/Silva ), and we can't really know that until Pep tries him there.

Mahrez has very good ball control, keeps the ball under pressure well, good passer and can cause danger from outside the box like KDB.

Thats why I think he can fill CM position.

All of those players had easily identifiable traits that enabled their adaptability.You're suggestion/opinion that Mahrez could fill the deep lying playmaker role makes no sense as he has no defensive ability and a severe lack of physical strength or presence.Pushing him further forward,into a 10 role, would have him competing with others far more adept at that role too.
Unfortunately for Mahrez he is not justifying a start in any position,and unless that changes,be it his own decision or that of the boss.....he will surely be out the door.

 

[Cobra]

The penalty v the Dippers was unforgivable! Only a winner tomorrow can make up for it. Know we’ve had much worse players than Mahrez, esp on a talent scale, but to me there’s something off about him, he doesn’t have the best of attitudes

Why is it unforgivable? What about Aguero’s missed penalty vs Spurs a couple of weeks ago?