After finally sealing a move to Manchester City, Riyad Mahrez says he has to perform and show that can play at the top level.
Riyad Mahrez cost Manchester City a club-record transfer fee, but the FC crew disagree about how the former Leicester star will fit into City’s XI.
ESPN FC’s Stewart Robson explains where he sees Riyad Mahrez fitting in at Man City and the players he will combine best with.
Riyad Mahrez didn’t hesitate to sign for Manchester City despite facing a fight to force his way into Pep Guardiola’s record-breaking side.
The Algerian winger completed a club-record £60 million move from Leicester City on Tuesday to become the club’s first major signing of the summer.
Guardiola already has an impressive number of attacking choices to pick from with Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane firing City to 100 points with a record 106 goals last season.
“After what they’ve done it’s amazing,” Mahrez, 27, told a news conference. “They broke all the records in the Premier League which is unbelievable.
“I never thought about [not getting in the team]. I’m very confident in myself and I hope to help this team to improve.”
As well as the title, City won the Carabao Cup but were knocked out of the Champions League quarterfinals by Liverpool — and Mahrez believes they are ready to challenge for Europe’s top prize.
“I know they have the ambition to go further the next season,” Mahrez added. “It’s a Champions League team, who wants to win trophies every season. That’s why I made the decision to come here because I want to be part of that.
“It’s a club who wants to win this type of trophy. The Champions League is for big clubs, they’re a big club. They have everything to try to win the Champions League. Now we have to work and see what can happen.”
Mahrez, who was the 2016 PFA Player of the Year, almost made the move in January but City refused to pay the Foxes’ £95m asking price.
But Guardiola has shown his belief in the forward by renewing his interest in the player and Mahrez was delighted that the deal has finally be completed.
“The most important thing is I’m here, happy and starting a new challenge and a new life,” he said.”[January] is in the past, I’m here now. it’s what happened before and I’m happy now.
“Of course he’s a big manager, he’s won a lot of things, he’s made history with this club. I wanted to work under him and to play in this club. I didn’t hesitate at all. They wanted me.”
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