Mahrez is back ... with a blast
RIYAD MAHREZ has broken his silence after a 10-day absence from Leicester to deny going AWOL from the club.
The Algeria star issued a statement pledging his commitment to the club and claiming they were kept informed of where he was at all times.
Mahrez returned to training yesterday and is in contention to play in this evening’s game at Manchester City, whose failed attempt to sign him on transfer deadline day led to his protracted absence.
The 26-year- old’s statement read: ‘Over the past 10 days many people claiming to be my friends have spoken about me and things they know nothing about.
‘I would like to clarify that all those so- called assumptions of why I was absent are completely untrue. Leicester City were always aware of my whereabouts and had knowledge of my thinking either directly or via my advisers. I have been a part of the Leicester City team that has achieved much success including promotion to the Premier League and being champions of the league.
‘My goals have always been the same and I have always given 100 per cent when I play for the club, the fans and my team-mates. Those goals remain the same today and in the future, and when I am asked to be a part of the team, rest assured I will continue to give my all.’
Mahrez handed in a transfer request after City made a £50million offer before the end of the January transfer window, but the deal collapsed after Leicester demanded £90m for the 2016 PFA Player of the Year. City could return with a bid for Mahrez in the summer, and City boss Pep Guardiola described him yesterday as an ‘extraordinary player’.
But Guardiola insisted that City cannot be blamed for their role in the saga, claiming the situation is no different to Leicester contacting them last summer to negotiate a £25m deal for Kelechi Iheanacho.
Asked if his club should accept any responsibility for unsettling Mahrez, Guardiola said: ‘Me? I don’t think so. Leicester came to pick up Kelechi, we did it. In all transfers, the clubs call the clubs.
‘After that, we are not involved in anything. It’s a decision for the player and the club, not Manchester City.’ Guardiola wants Mahrez to play today even though he has starred in Leicester victories over City in each of the past two seasons.
‘I love to play with the best sides and the best players because when you beat them you feel better,’ he said. ‘That’s why I wish he can come back as soon as possible and play.’
Meanwhile, Guardiola has hit back at Sky pundit Gary Neville, who branded the decision to name only six substitutes at Burnley last weekend a ‘joke’. Guardiola said: ‘It’s never a joke. It’s so serious. And he should know that because he was a manager — for a short time.’
Neville was sacked in March 2016 after less than four months as manager of Valencia.