Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez has warned Tottenham Hotspur target Youcef Atal that he must curb his ‘carefree’ ways if he is to live up to his undoubted potential, while speaking to BeIN Sports during an Instagram Q&A.
While the £60 million Manchester City ace is the obvious poster boy for an Algeria side who lifted the Africa Cup of Nations title last summer, the northern nation have a talented crop of youngsters looking to join Mahrez in the elite.
And 23-year-old Atal, a right-back who shot to fame with a hat-trick from the left wing a year ago, appears to have the world at his feet.
BILD claims that a big-money move to the Premier League is on the cards too, with Jose Mourinho keen to sign the versatile defender on the back of his eye-catching performances on the other side of the Channel with Ligue 1 outfit Nice.
But Mahrez is keen to point out that Atal needs to ensure his attitude matches his ability.
“If he is not too stupid he can have a great career, but he is too carefree at the moment,” said a man who won the 2016 PFA Player of the Year award after inspiring Leicester City to the Premier League title.
Atal does have one advantage over the litany of other right-backs on Tottenham’s radar.
He, unlike Max Aarons, Thomas Meuner and co, is equally comfortable on the left-hand side, potentially offering Mourinho some much-needed adaptability as the Spurs boss looks to rebuild an ailing backline on the cheap.
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