Riyad Mahrez has been short of form and playing time at Manchester City which may raise uncertainty over his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium.
Algeria’s national team manager Djamel Belmadi doesn’t believe the 29-year-old is happy with his current situation and discussed the idea of him leaving for more playing time.
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Belmadi said on Algerian TV (h/t Sport Witness): “Mahrez isn’t happy in Manchester because he doesn’t play often, and he’s a fighter who wants to play all the games for his team.
“I can’t ask him to leave his club to play more in another, I’m not his agent, but the most important is for him to keep his fitness and to be ready for the next games of the national team.
“He’s our captain. I understand the fear of the fans, but, in my view, he’s got the ability to bounce back once again. I trust him”. The 29-year-old was a regular in the Premier League until mid-December, featuring in nine of their first 11 games of the season.
He’s only made sporadic appearances in the top-flight since, however, amassing 197 minutes of playing time from a possible 810 due to competition from Raheem Sterling, Ferran Torres, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva.
Mahrez has scored six goals and made three assists in a total of 25 appearances, but he’s netted just once in the league since November while making only one assist since September.
The 5ft 9in wide-man has two-and-a-half years remaining on the five-year deal he signed in 2018, so City won’t be rushing to sell. Mahrez is still getting opportunities from the bench and the odd start too, so it doesn’t appear Guardiola wants to axe him despite Belmadi’s comments.