Claude Puel has been appointed Leicester City manager but has a job on his hands persuading Riyad Mahrez to stay.
Leicester City yesterday confirmed that Claude Puel would take over from Craig Shakespeare as the club’s new manager.
The Frenchman is tasked with steering the Foxes clear of trouble as they sit only one point above the Premier League relegation zone.
Key to changing Leicester’s fortunes is getting the best out of Riyad Mahrez, the creative force behind their shock title triumph in 2015-16.
A transfer to a big club never materialised but the Algerian is unlikely to see Puel’s appointment as an attempt to match his ambition.
Should Mahrez force through a move in January or next summer, Puel could raid Southampton for Sofiane Boufal as a like-for-like replacement.
The Moroccan is quick and direct, like Mahrez, but has only started one league game this season for the Saints, for whom he was signed by Puel.
Boufal showed a glimpse of his potential with a goal-of-the-season contender in Southampton’s 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion last Saturday.
If Puel could harness that talent, then the 24-year-old would be the perfect Mahrez contingency.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
