Riyal Mahrez was determined to swap Leicester City for Manchester City according to former assistant manager Pascal Planque.
Mahrez was an integral part of the Foxes fairy tale season in 2015/16 when they captured the Premier League title against all odds.
The Algerian burst onto the scene with an abundance of creative flair. He scored 18 goals in the league and was a key figure alongside Jamie Vardy in Leicester’s attack which proved pivotal in their title-winning success.
In the years following the Foxes’ triumph, normal service has resumed in England’s top tier, with billionaire behemoths Manchester City and Chelsea the only sides to win the league.
With Leicester’s diminishing returns in subsequent seasons, marquee players from their fairy-tale triumph have sought pastures new, with players such as N’Golo Kante, Danny Drinkwater and most recently Mahrez heading to so-called ‘Big Six’ clubs.
According to Plancque, Mahrez had been determined to leave Leicester for some time.
“Riyad, he was very, very determined to leave,” Plancque told Goal.
“Because he was already thinking of leaving the summer before. He thought he had an agreement with the club so he could leave if he had any requests. And the proposals, he had them, with those of Manchester City in particular.
“The problem is that the proposal arrived late and it was difficult to replace him, to prepare his succession. The club was not ready to see him leave.
“It was a good solution for the club and also for Riyad because that didn’t prevent him from leaving in July for City.
Planque has congratulated Mahrez on the success he has already achieved since joining the Citizens and expects the Algerian to make further strides in his career as time goes on.
“His first steps in Man City? I find that for his first matches, he didn’t shine. We could see that he was trying to make his mark.
“But after a month, he is an important element and he has found his effectiveness. He scores and makes goals. I think he is progressing because he defends much more than in Leicester.
“I congratulate him personally because he is someone I really appreciate. In addition, he is trained by a superb coach and surrounded by exceptional players. And he will still progress.”
Manchester City are currently undefeated in the Premier League and are top of the table, two points ahead of Liverpool.
City return to Premier League action next Saturday to take on West Ham United at the London Stadium.
The post Riyad Mahrez was determined to leave Leicester for Man City – Pascal Planque appeared first on Squawka News.
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