Danny Murphy says Mahrez has outgrown Leicester

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The Algerian winger failed to secure a move from Leicester City to Manchester City on deadline day.

Riyad Mahrez, 26, is reportedly set to be fined £200,000 by Leicester City, following the winger’s absence from training after a deadline day move to Manchester City fell through, according to the Daily Mail.

The 26-year-old handed in a transfer request to try to force through a move to Pep Guardiola’s side. However, with the clubs failing to agree on the specifics of the deal, the Algerian was left to play out the remainder of the season at the King Power Stadium.

Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day on 31 January 2018, former Fulham and Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy explained that Mahrez had outgrown Leicester.

The former England international went on the say that he believed Mahrez would definitely have started for City had the move gone through, especially considering their current injuries.

“He would have made [Manchester] City better and stronger,” Murphy said, “I think with the injuries they’ve got he’d have gone straight in [to the team].

“He’s going to go in the summer isn’t he, I’m afraid, for Leicester supporters.

“He’s outgrown Leicester, he’s too good for Leicester,” Murphy concluded, adding that he believed Mahrez is a Champions League player.

Leicester have done well to keep hold of their star player. However, if his reaction to the deal falling through is anything to go by, it feels like the Algerian’s time at the Foxes is coming to an end.

Clubs will come calling again in the summer, even if City do not, and it is hard to imagine a world where Mahrez is still playing at Leicester next season.

Regardless, his current manager Claude Puel will be hoping that the 26-year-old can get his head straight and help his side finish strongly in the Premier League.

After all, consistent performances throughout the rest of the season will only help the winger’s chances of securing a move away.