Riyad Mahrez

[Pizy 18,368]

45 minutes ago, Jason said:

That's the thing - it was last season and it was only ONE season. Are we really sure what Mahrez did last season was his true ability and not just a complete freak? You said he was on a completely different level but I would argue that how many of the other teams last season played to their true level? Not discrediting any good Mahrez did last season but at the same time, he was good because the other players didn't play to their true level.

Okay, Mahrez has decent dribbling skills but let's not make like he's another Hazard because he's not that good. Ask any defenders out there who would they rather mark - Mahrez or Hazard - and I'm certain everyone would say Mahrez. And if Mahrez is really as good as you're trying to make him out to be, why hasn't he been talked on the same level as Hazard?

If you put it from a financial perspective, then obviously Mahrez could be of great value at just £25-30m. But if we want to dominate the league, compete against the very best in Europe again, then we have to get the top-tier players, players who can actually improve and make us better and that means spending big money for them. The last thing we want now is to repeat the blunders of 2010 and 2015 again, when we became stingy, bought duds and ended up with a poor season.

On top of that, there's plenty of good factor around the club now - just won the league, Conte being in charge, there's a strong unity in the dressing room, have Champions League again etc - and if we don't take advantage of that to get the top tier players this summer (especially when we seem to be the No.1 attraction in England right now, ahead of City and United), then we might live to regret that. And getting those kind of players will also help to persuade the ones that we have now - e.g. Courtois, Hazard - to stay for the long term.

I think we just rate Mahrez a bit differently. You seem to feel that he's an average player who had a freak, one off great season whilst I think he can reach a similar level again if he plays for a better side. I think everyone at Leicester until Claudio was finally sacked was in hangover mode from last season. We've seen everyone who was unbelievable last season (Huth, Morgan, Fuchs, Vardy, Mahrez) drop dramatically this season. What's to say Kante wouldn't have struggled a bit this season had he stayed there?

I have a feeling that if Mahrez moves to a big club (be it us, Spuds, Arsenal etc) he'll reach a very high level again. He'll have confidence back and be surrounded by a MUCH higher standard of player and coaches. 

You're certainly correct that he isn't a A-list, superstar signing that'll elevate the club's status or anything. I'm just saying...could be a good fallback option if other targets fall through. Not saying he should be our priority or #1 choice.

[Fernando 6,453]

I'm sure if we don't get him Liverpool will go for him and then we will blame ourselves why didn't we go for him. 

[Leif 6,006]

He's a supremely talented winger. So was Salah. But neither are built for long-term, season after season consistency IMO. Like Willian, their tricks become old, and then you're left wondering what else is in their locker - which they never unlock.
If we're to get a winger, let's get another Pedro. A player who likes to get an early cross in more than he likes to dribble all the way to the corner flag. A player who makes his priority balance, attacking 2nd. 
The likes of Salah and Mahrez would get roasted in the odd game where they're forced into an awkward position; or they'd just get dropped, and then our game plan would have to change.

Great player to watch. Wouldn't sign him even for £5m if I knew he was going to be in the side every game though.

[Diceflix 207]

He may not an upgrade to Pedro, but Conte can upgrade anyone...

[LAM09 6,744]

He's a supremely talented winger. So was Salah. But neither are built for long-term, season after season consistency IMO. Like Willian, their tricks become old, and then you're left wondering what else is in their locker - which they never unlock.
If we're to get a winger, let's get another Pedro. A player who likes to get an early cross in more than he likes to dribble all the way to the corner flag. A player who makes his priority balance, attacking 2nd. 
The likes of Salah and Mahrez would get roasted in the odd game where they're forced into an awkward position; or they'd just get dropped, and then our game plan would have to change.
Great player to watch. Wouldn't sign him even for £5m if I knew he was going to be in the side every game though.

Salah has just gotten better in Italy and is currently having the best season of his career. Joint top assists in Serie A with 13 & 17 goals IIRC.

The two really aren't comparable other than them both being left footed.

[blu35_army 551]

meh,,for me he's the third option after sanchez and bernardo for RW spot...

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[OneMoSalah 8,776]

Seen someone mention Salah, genuinely think Salah would be a much better signing than Mahrez. Overrated. One good season. Beyond poor this year. 30M would be far too much for a player who would struggle to even make our bench when we have Hazard, Pedro, Willian, Fabregas all vying for potential places in attacking midfield positions (albeit Cesc's probably better deeper he can still do one hell of a job closer to the striker). 

[JDY 1,290]

He was spectacular last season. One of the few players I remember to get a standing ovation at the Bridge. For £30-35m I wouldn't say no

[Jase 43,479]

1 hour ago, Pizy said:

I think we just rate Mahrez a bit differently. You seem to feel that he's an average player who had a freak, one off great season whilst I think he can reach a similar level again if he plays for a better side. I think everyone at Leicester until Claudio was finally sacked was in hangover mode from last season. We've seen everyone who was unbelievable last season (Huth, Morgan, Fuchs, Vardy, Mahrez) drop dramatically this season. What's to say Kante wouldn't have struggled a bit this season had he stayed there?

I have a feeling that if Mahrez moves to a big club (be it us, Spuds, Arsenal etc) he'll reach a very high level again. He'll have confidence back and be surrounded by a MUCH higher standard of player and coaches. 

On that logic, we should just buy everyone from Leicester because they'll perform better in a better team! The thing about Leicester is, one season of greatness doesn't suddenly make them a big side or even a top 7 side in the Premier League. Last season was a total freak and this season, they are pretty much performing at the level where we expect them to be all this time - mid-table mediocrity. Their squad is one filled with average players.

[Pizy 18,368]

1 hour ago, Jason said:

On that logic, we should just buy everyone from Leicester because they'll perform better in a better team! The thing about Leicester is, one season of greatness doesn't suddenly make them a big side or even a top 7 side in the Premier League. Last season was a total freak and this season, they are pretty much performing at the level where we expect them to be all this time - mid-table mediocrity. Their squad is one filled with average players.

The logic is, he's young, very quick, extremely skillful, probably very affordable in relative terms, and has shown that he can cut it in this league. All of the other Leicester players are old and nearly past it. I think Mahrez can take another step up. He hasn't peaked yet and on the way down like the others.

Again, I'll reiterate that he's not my first choice or even the best choice. Just an option to consider. I'll put it this way, if we signed him would I be upset or very underwhelmed? No. Would I be over the moon and certain he'll take us to another level? No, but I'd be more than okay with him here.

[Jase 43,479]

3 minutes ago, Pizy said:

The logic is, he's young, very quick, extremely skillful, probably very affordable in relative terms, and has shown that he can cut it in this league. All of the other Leicester players are old and nearly past it. I think Mahrez can take another step up. He hasn't peaked yet and on the way down like the others.

He might have shown he can cut it in the Premier League but it's different from being able to cut it at the highest level. And granted some players peak later, Mahrez is already 26 years old. You would think if he's going to peak soon, he would performed consistently every week already.

[mashimaru161 77]

Mahrez is an one season wonder. He's only suit for mid tabled team

[11Drogba 2,000]

I think Conte can help him perform like he did in the previous season. I also hope that we sign a better player but I won't be sorry if we get him for a reasonable price.

[the wes 7,212]

Riyad Mahrez has sparked a major transfer battle this summer after he announcing he wants to quit Leicester City.

http://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/arsenal-chelsea-tottenham-riyad-mahrez-13113308

If Mahrez can recreate the form he had when Leicester City won the the league he could make a good signing 

[the wes 7,212]

Riyad Mahrez has released a statement confirming it is "time for me to move on" from Leicester City. (Source: Sky Sports)

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

 

[akgw13 867]

for the right price id take him. but if they want 35m plus and he is expecting to start every week we don't need that headache.

If we can steal him for a reasonable fee and have him buy into being a good player on a successful team im interested.

[Pizy 18,368]

Think he'd be a great signing for any of the top teams. If not here, I hope it's not Liverpool or Spuds. Can see him being an annoyingly great signing for either of them.