Mahrez Opens Up On His Early Man City Struggles (See What He Said)

Forum 3 years ago

Mahrez Opens Up On His Early Man City Struggles (See What He Said)

Riyad Mahrez has opened up on his early struggles at Manchester City, admitting that he “didn’t make a difference as quickly as they thought I was going to”.

Mahrez completed a £60 million ($76m) move to the Etihad Stadium from Leicester City in July 2018 after a drawn-out saga which began when he handed in a transfer request at the King Power Stadium six months earlier.

Big things were expected of a man who had played a key role in the Foxes’ run to Premier League glory in 2015-16, but he was unable to hit the ground running in Manchester.

The 29-year-old acknowledges the fact that he fell short of the required standard during his first few months at the Etihad, but says he has gradually built his confidence back up after a “difficult” settling in period.

“I didn’t make a difference as quickly as they thought I was going to make,” Mahrez told Sky Sports.

“So obviously they don’t have time to give me time because we are 20 players, top players.

“I was on the bench and the other players were performing, so it was difficult for me to come back. Then more to the end of the season I came back, I played good and I start this season differently.

“Now when he played me I was performing, so the confidence is here.”