Since the beginning of the EPL this season, the name Riyad Mahrez is now on everyone's lips. This is despite the fact that the 25 year old Algerian winger plays for lowly Leicester City compared to the likes of Manchester Clubs, Arsenal or Chelsea
. This has come as Mahrez has blossomed and performed beyond expectations this season. While the likes of Philipe Coutinho (Liverpool) and Yaya Toure ( Man City) all scored goals that will contend for the goal of the season, on his part Mahrez is the man to beat when it comes to all round performance.
First in the first round of matches at the King Power Stadium (Leicester's home stadium); Mahrez was a handful for the Sunderland defence terrorising the likes of Sebastian Coates, Younes Kaboul and Patrick Van Anholt all through until he was substituted in the 75th minute with a Standing Ovation by the home crowd. Mahrez scored the second goal with a header from a Marc Albrington's cross from the right side of Sunderland's defence; as if that wasn't enough he pressured Sunderland's Captain Lee Cattermole into making a rash challenge by fouling him and conceding a penalty which he duly converted, making it 3-0 for Leicester in the 25th minute. That did not end there as Mahrez hit the Sunderland's post after twisting and turning three Sunderland defenders in the second half. It could have been worse for Sunderland, had it been Jamie Vardy converted the one on one with Sunderland's goal keeper Phantilimon at his mercy ; after Mahrez put him through on goal with a fine through ball that split the central defensive pairing of Sebastian Coates and Younes Kaboul. At the end of the match, he created a total of four chances, won 88% of his physical duels even with his light body weight of 61kg and height of 179cm; it did not end there as his average pass length was 18m and an accuracy of 79%. Yesterday against a stronger West Ham team away at Upton Park, it was a similar story as Angelo Ogbonna found out. Mahrez again scored his third of the season from a cross and thus becomes the highest goalscorer of the EPL.
Mahrez only made his first team debut in the French Ligue 2 in February 2011 in Le Havre at 20 years of age; which clearly shows he's a late developer. With his sublime form in the season so far, its no surprise that he signed a four-year contract extention just three days before the Sunderland match. his three goals in two games this season is a big improvement on last seasons four goals in 30 games.
Leicester is tipped for glory this season with the form of its front four of Shinji Okazaki, Jamie Vardy, Marc Albrington and Riyad Mahrez. Okazaki may have come at a high £7 million but his hold-up play and interplay is like one who had played ages in the team; this shows he is a massive improvement on last seasons strikers David Nugent and Leonardo Ulloa. Leicester as it stands are in safe hands with Italian Tactician Claudio Ranieri and appear not to be missing ex manager Nigel Pearson, who saved them from relegation last season.
It is yet to be seen if Mahrez will continue his fine form till the end of the season on 15 May, 2015 but what EPL lovers know for now is that he is the 'Star' of the season so far is Riyad Mahrez of Algeria.
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