Riyad Mahrez - 2018/2019 performances

[PrezIke]

Played the last two games like the one Pep wanted to sign and those of us agreed was an intelligent decision for improving weaknesses in the squad.

He is not a "luxury" player as some keep stating. So many fans noted how we have not been clinical enough the past few seasons. Regularly bemoaning how we don't get a third striker or slag off any of our other attacking players on a given day when they muff chances and cause Pep to throw his water bottle or his hands in the air.

Riyad is the definition of clinical and a is a constant threat that causes defenders mares.

I think he will fit more and more into the side and become a real asset and favourite. I believe that part of the reason we signed him was where he also tends to get his goals is where we find a high number of chances.

 

[PrezIke]

Good finish with his right but only really looked a threat once they started to tire around the 70min mark. Would like to see him play more with Danilo, who can offer more of an overlapping threat, and see if that can free him more space. As it stands, by the time the ball arrives at his foot, it seems that every team is able to shuffle a couple of players out and nullify the threat.

I think to blame him for this is rather harsh. We lacked fluidity early on, and seems fair to attribute a good portion of that to the number of changes to the side.

Also, I want Brahim to stay, and he did well enough, but he's not as good of a team player as Sterling is. I felt that when Razza came on our attack improved and Mahrez benefited.

Good point about Danilo. You don't think Walker does that? Danilo I think, however, is a bit better with the ball than Walker, yet lacking in other areas and isn't quite as consistent.

 

[PrezIke]

Frustrated by him tonight. Good strike for the goal, but takes too much time on the ball and tends to look to do it all himself rather than set up his team mates.

To me you have to think of him more as a wide striker than attacking midfielder.

Yes, he looks for his chances, but that's also why we signed him. Aguero does this as well, but that's because they are THAT good at striking a football on goal.

Mahrez is arguably our 2nd best player at this given his experience level. Jesus is not there yet for whatever reason - age seems like a good bet - so we lack someone else to do this. Raz is starting to show signs, but we know this is a big criticism of his game. KDB, okay, sure, but he's not in those positions as often anymore as a roaming 8.

Mahrez can and will make passes and crosses that are well taken, as we have seen, but even Kun occasionally makes arguably selfish decisions. He's worked on that since Pep's arrived, whilst Mahrez has just got here, so I suspect some of that will change, but Pep also wants some more of that killer instinct on the pitch.

Did he really make any clearly poor decisions against Oxford? I can't recall, but I am fine with being wrong.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Frustrated by him tonight. Good strike for the goal, but takes too much time on the ball and tends to look to do it all himself rather than set up his team mates.

I'm not going to get too hung up over such a 'problem' as i think it was more a case of the lad trying too hard to impress,wanting to take his opportunity and over playing on occasion as a consequence.
He's a brilliant talent,incredibly dangerous,and he will be a fantastic option when he takes some pressure off himself,becomes more comfortable in his new surroundings,and settles into the side more.

 

[chisnall_blue]

The guy oozes class on the ball, similar to Bernardo in that just by watching his control and first touch you see he’s a top top player.
Merlin will never be replaced totally but with him and Bernard we have options and both of them have a better eye for goal (Merlins one and only ‘weakness’ even though I feel dirty saying it)

 

[Gabriel]

I think to blame him for this is rather harsh. We lacked fluidity early on, and seems fair to attribute a good portion of that to the number of changes to the side.

Also, I want Brahim to stay, and he did well enough, but he's not as good of a team player as Sterling is. I felt that when Razza came on our attack improved and Mahrez benefited.

Good point about Danilo. You don't think Walker does that? Danilo I think, however, is a bit better with the ball than Walker, yet lacking in other areas and isn't quite as consistent.

Sorry, but I don't think pointing out aspects that need working on is harsh. :-)

Last night, Mahrez was twice outside the 18-yard line in the first half and, on both occasions, he decided to go on to his left foot and whip a ball into an already packed box; we're not exactly blessed with height in attack and possession and pressure were consequently lost. Bernardo managed to set up goals last season (Aguero/SIlva) with the most exquisite chips from the right, but that is near impossible to do when the defence is deep and tight. When Mahrez is playing on the left, for me, he needs to attack the first defender more quickly and, if nothing is on, he needs to get the ball to the inside midfielder and allow another angle of attack to develop. At Leicester, he was a constant threat because he would back the defender into the box and get incredibly close to him in an attempt to turn him or induce a penalty. He seems reluctant to do that for us so far; perhaps he knows we just don't get penalties! As I say, every player has aspects that need to be developed.

His game has also been hampered a little with the absence of de Bruyne in that area, who can drill low balls in from that angle, so we'll see what happens when he returns.

As for Danilo, yes I think he poses more of an attacking threat than Walker, who is the more consistent defender, but he was blowing out of every orifice by the game's end, so mistakes in his delivery were to be expected.

 

[bobom]

To me you have to think of him more as a wide striker than attacking midfielder.

Yes, he looks for his chances, but that's also why we signed him. Aguero does this as well, but that's because they are THAT good at striking a football on goal.

Mahrez is arguably our 2nd best player at this given his experience level. Jesus is not there yet for whatever reason - age seems like a good bet - so we lack someone else to do this. Raz is starting to show signs, but we know this is a big criticism of his game. KDB, okay, sure, but he's not in those positions as often anymore as a roaming 8.

Mahrez can and will make passes and crosses that are well taken, as we have seen, but even Kun occasionally makes arguably selfish decisions. He's worked on that since Pep's arrived, whilst Mahrez has just got here, so I suspect some of that will change, but Pep also wants some more of that killer instinct on the pitch.

Did he really make any clearly poor decisions against Oxford? I can't recall, but I am fine with being wrong.

I don't really have a problem with him taking shots from outside the area. As you say, he strikes the ball so well...

What i feel he can improve on its his speed of thought and play. Last night, the ball would be moving around quickly, stretching the defence, and then he would get the ball and take his time, a few touches, running with the ball a few yards, etc. It strikes me that Pep's style of play is all about moving the ball as quickly as possible until chances emerge from the opposition being pulled out of position. that requires a simple but quick equation what en you receive the ball: is something on? if not, pass asap, if so, strike. When that thought process is too slow, or people hold it up, the opposition has time to reform.

It's not a biggie. He's a outstanding talent and am asset to the team. He's just not playing the team's style yet. That'll come...

 

[mrtwiceaseason]

Never seen a player drop the ball dead like him.its like it drops in a bucket of wet cement.
Compared to sane or sterling who make it look like they are trying to control a bouncing bomb !!

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

I'm not going to get too hung up over such a 'problem' as i think it was more a case of the lad trying too hard to impress,wanting to take his opportunity and over playing on occasion as a consequence.
He's a brilliant talent,incredibly dangerous,and he will be a fantastic option when he takes some pressure off himself,becomes more comfortable in his new surroundings,and settles into the side more.

Yep, agree with that, and indeed Pep has already intimated that Mahrez just needs to familiarise himself with our way of playing. That said, if he’d cut inside one more time last night before ballooning a curling shot 10 yards over the bar, I’d have dusted off my gun......

 

[supercity88]

We shouldn't judge him too harshly. Three goals in two games is excellent regardless of the opposition. He clearly feels he has something to prove and needs to showcase his skills to justify his position in our squad but he will soon learn from Pep that several unnecessary stepovers is not as good as a quick pass if he wants to play for City. Sometimes he is holding the ball for too long with others in good positions because he wants to take the shot on himself. He will learn when is the best time to lay it off, or take the man on and when is the right time to use a decoy runner and have a shot.

As I said, three goals in the week is excellent and until January we will see moments where we all feel he is over playing but what a player we have in him. Can you imagine playing against Sterling and Sane for 90mins and then having Mahrez come on. You would just throw the towel in! Much like Bernardo and David Silva he prefers to get the defender close and twist and turn him where Sane and Sterling prefer to drop a shoulder and use their pace to buy some space.