Riyad Mahrez.
What a guy.
Until 2014 he was completely unknown. Vahid Halilhodžić, the coach who took him to the World Cup with the Algerian national team, was accused of picking Mahrez for unfair motives. "He did not score much, but you could see his touch on the ball - it was something special," said the Bosnian. "They accused me of taking a bribe, but now they all thank me that he chose to play for Algeria and not France". Here are a few more good reasons to love and appreciate the 25-year-old forward, the Premier League player of the year, and maybe, a future champion of England.
1. His Style
The first thing you notice about Mahrez is his elegant and distinctive style. It seems like he’s about to lose the ball at any moment, yet he maintains absolute control over it. He is light on his feet, creative and surprising. The guy can dribble past two or three players, go back, and pass through the defender's legs, leaving a teammate to score. And he has done that several times this season.
2. His Statistics
Mahrez has provided us with some great stats this season. Out of Leicester's 63 goals in the Premier League this season, Mahrez has played a direct part (scoring or assisting) in 28 of them- which is almost 50%. And these are only the figures for goals. He is in the top 3 for most of the categories - dribbles passes, tackles conceded, crosses, etc. Where would the Foxes be this season without him?
3. He's Creative
One of Mahrez’s most obvious attributes is his assisting. He has 11 assists so far this season, second only to Arsenal’s Ozil. His ability to put Leicester's strikers, especially Jamie Vardy, through on goal, is simply incredible. What's amazing about Mahrez’s assists is their timing. 80% of his assists this season have been when it matters most, between the 60th and 90th minutes. What a Creator!
4. He's an Underdog
Standing 1.79 metres tall and weighing just 61 kilograms, Mahrez goes into almost every tackle the Premier League, in the air or on the ground, at a disadvantage. He’s happy to help defend when necessary and keeps the ball well under pressure. He is sometimes confronted by two opponents, three opponents, and as we saw against Arsenal, even more than that. It just enhances his achievements this term and makes us appreciate him more.
5. He's a Lefty
Left-footed players have a special charm. They are not necessarily better than right-footed players, but they bring something different to the game. With varied options to dribble, pass and kick, and often right foot control as well, they provide the added value that each team needs. And, when they are really good, they stand out above all the rest. Hagi, Messi and Maradona, all are genius lefties. Now Mahrez has also become one.
6. He's Refreshing
It was only at the age of 18 that Mahrez started to live in an organised football routine. Before he joined Leicester, he played in the French fourth tier for Quimper. Then second division Le Havre bought him, but he spent the majority of the time in the reserves. In an interview with the Guardian, he admitted that it was after the death of his father, who was a footballer himself and pushed and encouraged him a lot when he began to take the profession seriously. Since then he has soared and has not looked back. In January 2014, Leicester paid about 500 thousand euros for him. Today, according to German website Transfermarkt, he is already worth more than 20 million euros and his value is still rising. From nobody to somebody within a year and a half. Mahrez broke into our consciousness out of nowhere and it is certainly refreshing.
7. He's Cool
Mahrez is constantly cool. You won't see him get angry, curse, yell, get into unnecessary confrontations or lose his temper. He is not indifferent, but he is certainly cool. Even if he misses, he doesn't get nervous but runs to chase after the ball again. A dynamic and relaxed approach is exactly what it takes to succeed in the Premier League, as well as in life in general, and Mahrez definitely has it.
8. He's Human
People have a tendency to crown football stars as non-human. Mahrez is certainly human. In December, when he was on top form, rumours linking him to Real Madrid began. In the next games, Mahrez missed two penalties, missed great chances and looked a bit "tired", with the whole team failing to win seven games in-a-row. In an interview with a French radio station, he said, a little embarrassed, that the talks about Real Madrid made him feel very flattered and excited, but that he had to concentrate on Leicester, otherwise he would continue to miss penalties, and he added: "It is good that everything doesn't go smoothly, we are not made of diamonds, after all". To get excited and also screw up once in a while is very human. It is even fair to admit that it is sexy.
9. He did it on a Cold and Rainy Night in Stoke
"But can he do it on a cold and rainy night in Stoke?" This question/joke became a part of British football folklore, mainly in response to the crazy statistics of Leo Messi. To score a brace against Betis and a hat-trick versus Bilbao is impressive, but you can't compare it to goals on frozen nights in Stoke, Swansea or West Bromwich. On cold and rainy nights, Mahrez can still work his magic.
10. He's a Gentleman
Mahrez is a generous guy who knows how to respect others. Although he is the regular penalty taker for Leicester, he let Vardy take a penalty in order to equal Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record for scoring in consecutive games. When the rumours linked him to Premier League’s giants, Mahrez was quick to sign a contract at Leicester until 2019, and to declare openly: "My life is good here, and I have no reason to leave". In addition, he is not a model extrovert, does not upload photographs with his wife and his family has not become a gossip item. He still goes to the same barber where he used to go when he was a kid. A lovely 'down to earth' guy.
11. He's One of Our Own
Each one of us has at least one "Mahrez" among the football people in the neighbourhood. It could be that you are the "Mahrez" of your gang. He is relaxed, puts on a show, everyone calls him "a pro" and he is always smiling and kind to everyone.
12. He's the Future
In a world in which money determines the rules, fans are treated as customers, a small number of elite clubs dominate European football unchallenged and the Champions League only seems to begin to matter in the semi-finals, we need more players like Mahrez. Players who come out of nowhere, without any preparation or media hype, who keep it modest, spark the imagination, defeat the billionaires and give small clubs exciting seasons. It's important, it's fun, it's hopeful and they are one of the reasons why we love this game.