Pep Guardiola has called on Riyad Mahrez to do more for Manchester City after their 4-0 win against Norwich City, with the Catalan noting the winger’s weakness in duels.
Speaking to Sky Sports via the Manchester Evening News, the Premier League manager claimed that the Algerian international can perform better for City following a comfortable victory at Carrow Road.
The attacker started on the right as Raheem Sterling stole the show for City with a hat-trick performance against Norwich. Mahrez has been impressive in patches this season, though Guardiola is eager for the forward to improve on his physicality.
Indeed, it has become almost a stereotype that City’s forward players lack the stature to succeed in the Premier League, yet the likes of Sterling, Foden and Mahrez have buckled this trend over the years.
Yet according to Guardiola, Mahrez has to improve in the duels, with the City boss calling on the winger to better himself following the Manchester giant’s 4-0 win against Norwich on Saturday.
The Catalan said: “He is an exceptional player but I want more, for Riyad I want more. He is exceptional, but at the same time, he is sometimes weak in the duels. We know each other for a long time, he knows the intentions we say to him are always in a positive way.”
Guardiola criticism of Mahrez unusual after City win against Norwich
With City now 12 points ahead of second-place Liverpool in the standings, Guardiola’s comments on Mahrez are quite unusual given the nature of the club’s performance against Norwich last night.
Indeed, the Algerian can of course improve on his ability to win duels, however, it is hardly an aspect of his game that is required given his incredible attacking qualities and style of play to beat rival players whilst on the ball.
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