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Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez would be perfect Barcelona signing

By Rucker Haringey

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium on December 14, 2015 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium on December 14, 2015 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona have set their sights on Leicester City attacker Riyad Mahrez

There aren’t a ton of players in the Premier League who have the requisite talent to play at Barcelona. There are even fewer who possess the skill and trickery to flourish there. Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez is one man who has both.

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That’s why it should be no surprise to anyone that the Foxes’ attacker has captured the interest of the La Liga giants. The Mirror reports that despite Leicester’s best efforts to ink Mahrez to a new contract, they are becoming increasingly “resigned” to losing their talisman to Barcelona this summer.

That news will come as a major blow to Leicester fans who have had the privilege of watching Mahrez combine brilliantly with Jamie Vardy this season. The two have formed one of the Premier League’s most formidable attacks and currently have their club leading the Premier League.

Vardy may have gotten more headlines in England this season, but closer examination reveals that Mahrez has been the better player. The Englishman’s 19 Premier League goals are impressive, but the Algerian has scored 14 of his own.

Add in his impressive ten assists and it’s clear that he’s been more integral to Claudio Ranieri’s attack. His Whoscored.com player rating also leads Leicester by over three-tenths of a point over Vardy. By the majority of objective data, Mahrez has been the Foxes’ best player.

It’s easy to see Mahrez fitting into the Barcelona lineup at a couple of different spots. Obviously, he could provide excellent cover for Lionel Messi and Neymar on the wings of their preferred 4-3-3 formation. I believe he could also find a great deal of playing time at Ivan Rakitic’s right midfield spot. I’m not entirely convinced the Croatian will still be at Barcelona next season and even if he is, Mahrez is the superior player.

Aside from his obvious fit in terms of their formation, his style would be a terrific complement to the way Barcelona likes to play. He would give them another deadly attacker to add to their embarrassment of offensive riches. Starting Luis Suarez, Neymar, Messi and Mahrez in the same 11 almost seems unfair.

Some crestfallen Leicester fans may question whether or not Barcelona needs to buy their precious talisman, but the truth is need has nothing to do with it. In the expensive arms race between Real Madrid and Barcelona you can never acquire too much talent. Even if Mahrez won’t start regularly at Camp Nou, they’ll still want him. And if they do decide he’s their man, price will be no hindrance.

Related Story: Leicester are using Moneyball to win the Premier League

Leicester City fans should enjoy watching Riyad Mahrez while they can. His potential move to Barcelona makes too much sense not to happen this summer.

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