It wasn’t until Leroy Sane’s injury in the Charity Shield game this season that Mahrez started to enjoy regular minutes under Pep Guardiola.
“Last year, when I arrived, the manager trusted me and believed in me, but I didn’t make the difference as quick as they thought I would,” he said. “And at a club like City, they don’t have time to wait. There are 20 top players, so I was on the bench when others were performing so it was a bit difficult for me to come back.”
Mahrez has justified his fee with a few outstanding performances this season, bagging 7 goals and 7 assists in 29 outings. He believes he will be at his best once Premier League resumes.
“I played well towards the end of the season (in 2018-19), and I started this season differently. When I’ve played, I’ve been performing so the confidence is here,” the Algerian continued. “When I arrived at City, I noticed how everyone sits back so you have to think differently.
“You have to deal differently with your opponent, and in my case the left-back because he’s always in front of me. They also always have help around him, with a midfielder or the winger, so you have to change your play and your movement. You have to adapt to this. That took me a little bit of time but now I feel I’m set up very well.”
“With what has been happening the past few months, it makes you realise as a footballer what a beautiful job you have,” he said. “You have to love what you’re doing and you have to enjoy the life you have. My love started when I was young, and obviously my dad brought me this passion of the ball and I was playing every day. I just loved it.”
Mahrez added: “I’m always looking to play – I have balls everywhere in my house, so I always try to be in contact with the ball.”
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