Riyad Mahrez has an uncertain future at Manchester City after falling down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola, but he’s been defiant in his desire to stay at the Etihad Stadium.
The 30-year-old has been short of goals and assists this season while being an unused substitute on a handful of occasions, so Foot Mercato (h/t Sport Witness) suggested he could be on his way out.
Mahrez has scored an impressive eight goals with two assists in 15 games, but he’s not starting regularly in the Premier League. The Algerian international has amassed only 260 minutes of top-flight football from a possible 990.
Mahrez has scored just one league goal since August and hasn’t made an assist at all for three months, so Guardiola has opted to use Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva.
The snub won’t lead to an exit, however, with the former Leicester City man rebuffing reports that suggest he could seek a move in January, so it appears he’ll remain at the Etihad until the summer at least.
Mahrez, who joined in 2018, has two-and-a-half years left on his deal in Manchester, so there’s no rush to cash in. His goal contribution has been outstanding despite the lack of starts, so Guardiola wouldn’t want to lose him.
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