Diabate can be the new Mahrez

LEICESTER CITY manager Claude Puel believes new signing Fousseni Diabate can be the next Riyad Mahrez.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has arrived from Ligue 2 club Gazalec Ajaccio for a fee of about £2million.

Mahrez also came from the French second tier, having been snapped up from Le Havre II for a bargain £500,000 in 2014.

Puel believes Diabate could have a similar impact. “In the past Leicester have signed good players from Ligue 2 in Riyad Mahrez and Anthony Knockaert,” he said.

“Diabate has a lot of quality, pace, good penetration, very good feet and he can make the difference.

“He is versatile and can play anywhere across the front, as a winger on both sides and also striker.”

Puel believes the Mali Under-23 international will be pushing for the first team soon.

Algeria winger Mahrez, meanwhile, remains unaffected by the growing speculation on his future, with the player linked to a number of clubs including Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal.

“If you saw the training session yesterday morning he was smiling and enjoying it. It is amazing,” said Puel.

Leicester are set to allow forwards Ahmed Musa, Leonardo Ulloa and Islam Slimani to leave this month. But Kelechi Iheanacho is going nowhere. The Nigerian forward, 21, has been linked with a move away after failing to impress since his £25m move from Manchester City.

There have also been question marks about his attitude.

“There has been a lot of speculation about Iheanacho, but he is a young player, he only arrived at the club this season and he will stay with us,” said Puel.