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Leicester deny player-power: Mahrez saga

By Thomas Bradley Alderman

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Watford at The King Power Stadium on January 20, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Watford at The King Power Stadium on January 20, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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LEICESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 05: Riyad Mahrez accepts the gifts on behalf of the team from chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, a fleet of 19 protonic blue BMW I8s were parked outside Leicester City, King Power Stadium as a gift from chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha to each player who helped win the premier league on August 5, 2016 in Leicester, United Kingdom (Photo by Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 05: Riyad Mahrez accepts the gifts on behalf of the team from chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, a fleet of 19 protonic blue BMW I8s were parked outside Leicester City, King Power Stadium as a gift from chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha to each player who helped win the premier league on August 5, 2016 in Leicester, United Kingdom (Photo by Getty Images) /

Can they put their differences aside?

Both parties now have questionable motives: one wants to earn – or ensure – a move using the other. The other’s will is to use its valued asset wisely, then sell ‘it’ at the highest possible price. A high contract release-clause is a favourable outcome for all.

Has Mahrez conducted himself unprofessionally? Yes, in two regards. In respect for the club, by devaluing them in public. He could have engineered a transfer without media intervention or by disappearing. Leicester gave their star-man his first chance in the ‘big-time’.

Secondly by not reiterating his transfer-request at the start of January or at least before the last day. Many Leicester supporters are disappointed in Mahrez’s behaviour to say the least. It is, like any other major event in top-tier football, polarising. Fans have seen all angles of a complicated affair.

There are sane people, including colleagues of his, who would never refuse Mahrez’s entitlement to his career goal. As far as the squad is concerned they are happy to put the matter ‘to bed’ as it’s part of football.

According to a pragmatical Kasper Schmeichel,

"“It was one of those things and that’s football. Transfer deadline day has become a big event now..you have to be professional and get on with it.”"

Harry Maguire also stated that Mahrez’s surprise inclusion in the squad for the Man City game didn’t affect the team’s poor performance. The England international seemingly wanted to move-on with the campaign,

"“No , it wasn’t a factor at all,”"

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