If Riyad Mahrez Leaves Leicester City, The Foxes Can Sign These Two Players
Leicester City could lose Riyad Mahrez sometime in the near future and that can potentially become a major area of concern for new manager Claude Puel.
The former Southampton manager has taken charge of the Foxes and will have to bring in reinforcements but to fill the void left behind by a player as important as the Algerian will certainly prove to be an uphill task. Arsenal have been known to harbour an interest in him for a long time and they might just get their man either in January or next summer.
If that happens, it will come as a major blow to Leicester. They lost Craig Shakespeare after a series of disappointing performances and losing out on Mahrez could push them to depths that will be difficult to climb out of. After all, the player was in spectacular form in the 2015/16 season.
He was crowned PFA Player of the Year for his efforts in helping Leicester notch up a miraculous Premier League victory. Last season, he stayed on to compete in the Champions League but this time it is highly unlikely for the club to seal a qualification spot. Hence, to fan his ambitions, Mahrez could choose to permanently step out of the King Power stadium.
Thus, it might not be such a bad idea for Puel to start scouring the market for options. It will be tough for the manager to find a player with similar capabilities and Premier League experience but there are a few who could fill the spot. Here are two options for Leicester to consider in an attempt to replace Mahrez.
Sofiane Boufal – Southampton
Puel could consider targeting Saints player Sofiane Boufal. When one closely compares his skill set with Mahrez’s, he almost seems like a like-for-like replacement. Moreover, he has prior Premier League experience as well, thus strengthening his case for contention.
Additionally, Boufal uses his pace to make direct, attacking plays and although he has not played much this season, he did show encouraging signs on the field. Knowing Puel, he can push the player to do better for Leicester, making him an option worth considering.
Troy Deeney – Watford
Linked with Leicester before, Deeney could be a good option. It will take some convincing – and money – on Leicester’s part to lure him from Watford but if they manage to do that, the club could greatly benefit.
However, Deeney cannot be a like-for-like replacement since they play in different positions. Mahrez can be deployed as a second striker but he is a natural wide man. Deeney, on the other hand, is a centre-forward. That said, the 29-year-old could prove to be an upgrade on their attacking options and Puel can bring him in to bolster the attack in Mahrez’s absence.