Algiers, Feb 3 (EFE) .- The Algerian national coach, Djamel Belmadi, assures that the international winger Ryad Mahrez “is not happy in Manchester City”, a situation that worries in Algeria given the challenges it faces this season, including the defense of the title of Champion of Africa.
“Mahrez is not happy in Manchester because he does not play often and he is a fighter who wants to play every game for his team. I cannot ask him to leave his club to play more for another, because I am not his agent, but the most important thing is to stay in shape and be prepared for the next matches of the national team, “explained the coach.
Belmeldi wanted, however, to break a spear in front of the fans in favor of the skilled attacker, the soul of the team that in 2019, and against all odds, raised the African continental tournament.
“He is our captain. I understand the fear of the fans, but, in my opinion, he has the ability to recover once again. I trust him,” he concluded in statements released today by the Algerian press.
25 GAMES AND SIX GOALS
The winger, the winner of the African golden ball in the past, has to date this season a total of 25 games with Pep Guardiola's “citizens”, in which he scored six goals and provided six assists.
A starter in ten of the first twelve games of the season, his star and influence have faded throughout December, the month in which he played just 20 minutes in the last four games.
Since the goalless draw against Manchester United in the Premier a month and a half ago, he has only entered the starting eleven twice for a team with a lot of very good gunpowder in attack.
Led by Belgian De Bruyne, in the exuberant roster of City attackers, names like Sterling, Fodden, Bernardo Silva, Gabriel Jesús, Kun Agüero or a Ferrán Torres in a state of grace compete.
POSSIBLE INTEREST OF REAL MADRID
Mahrez's replacement has been the subject of concern and debate since the beginning of January in Algeria, from where he insistently points out that if the situation continues, the Algerian could force a transfer in the summer to the Santiago Bernabéu.
An option that the Algerian media now believe is gaining new vigor not only because of Mahrez's lack of minutes in Manchester, but also because of the disappointment around Vinicius Jr. and the difficulties of the signing dreamed of by Florentino Pérez de Mbappe, tempted to continue in Paris.
“The tough competition is part of the high level and being on the bench too, even for a star. Those who advise Mahrez to change clubs are not entirely wrong. He could find his place and revive in another club, although nothing guarantees him better. playing time and less pressure on one of the English and European mastodons of the moment, “said Algerian journalist Rafik Tadjer a month ago. EFE