At one point this summer, Riyad Mahrez was one of many Manchester City players linked with a transfer away from the club. Speaking to reporters in Green Bay ahead of City’s second pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich,
Riyad Mahrez said: “No, I was never worried. I believe in working hard, whatever you do, you get rewarded. I’ve never been worried. I’m very happy to stay here, I love the club and that’s where I feel the best here. Of course [Manchester feels like home]. It’s difficult saying this, because I’m from a way different area, from Paris, which is so different to Manchester, but yeah, like you said, my family is here as well, it’s like a 50-50 home. I really wanted to keep the stability because I feel good in Manchester.”
Mahrez has welcomed a child this summer with his partner, and he says he is confident he can continue performing at a high level in the coming years after signing his new contract.
Riyad Mahrez said: “I started a bit later. Listen, only the future will tell us but at the moment I feel very good. I think I can play a long [time] due to the way I am, my physicality and stuff, but until you arrive at that age. But at the moment I feel very good, I don’t see myself losing pace or anything. There’s intelligence as well, but there’s also the fact that I’m skinny, I’m not that heavy. I’ve never missed a training all my career, I’m never injured, these type of little things makes you think that maybe you can go a bit longer. But you won’t know until you’re experiencing it.”
So with a positive outlook, Mahrez feels he can be a key man in City’s chances this season – especially with the departures of two competitors on the right wing.
Riyad Mahrez added: “Obviously it’s two big players that we’ve lost, who can play in my position as well. But you know me, I want to play all the games. We will see, I hope I can contribute more and more than last season and the season before.”
