Riyad Mahrez was the standout player in Leicester City’s Premier League title triumph – but believes he lost two years after being denied a move to Arsenal.
Riyad Mahrez previously claimed that Leicester City’s decision to block a potential move to Arsenal cost him two years of competing at the highest level of football. The ex-Manchester City star reminisced on how his career trajectory could have been different if he had made the switch after Leicester’s fairytale Premier League win in 2015/16.
His impressive tally of 17 goals and a further 10 assists during that season earned him both the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year awards. Despite his desires for a fresh challenge post their Champions League quarter-final exit in 2017, unlike team-mate N’Golo Kante who secured a transfer to Chelsea, Mahrez was held back by the club’s top brass.
The winger believes delayed his arrival at the apex of football until joining Manchester City at age 27. Looking back in a 2019 interview with France Football, Mahrez said: “After the title, if I’d left for a top team, it wouldn’t have been the same story.
“For me, it’s clear that I lost two years at the highest level. I lost two years! Because instead of arriving at City at 27, I could have been there at 24, 25. Leicester blocked me. They told me: ‘You’re not leaving, you’re not leaving’. My agent had spoken to [Arsene] Wenger who really wanted me. It was nearly all done with Arsenal in 2016. I was really frustrated.”
Mahrez – now plying his trade for Al-Ahli – remained at Leicester for another year, a period marked by the club’s struggle against relegation before they managed to secure seven victories in their final 13 league matches. “It wasn’t easy to go from being the best player in the Premier League to being a part of a team fighting against relegation,” the winger added.
“It’s not the same job. Everyone is waiting for you around the corner.” In 2018, Mahrez finally secured his high-profile transfer when he moved to Manchester City for £60m, making him the most expensive African player at that time. This record was surpassed a year later when Nicolas Pepe transferred to Arsenal for £72m.
During his tenure at the Etihad Stadium, Mahrez clinched four league titles, three EFL Cups, two FA Cups, and a Champions League title over five years before moving to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli last year. In his opening four league games this season, Mahrez has yet to record a goal or an assist.
