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Riyad Mahrez made a mistake, says Leicester City boss Claude Puel

By Harneet Singh Sethi

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City looks on from the bench during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Leicester City at Etihad Stadium on February 10, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City looks on from the bench during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Leicester City at Etihad Stadium on February 10, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Leicester City boss Claude Puel has termed Riyad Mahrez’s decision to go AWOL as a mistake.

The 26-year old returned back to training on Friday for the first time since Deadline Day and also featured against Manchester City in a 5-1 hammering at the Etihad Stadium.

The matter is over for now with Riyad Mahrez making it clear that he is focused, but that doesn’t change the fact that he chose to disappear after his proposed move to City failed to materialise.

Now that things are back to normal, Claude Puel has spoken up about the Algerian’s wrongdoing, describing it as a mistake. However, the Frenchman chose not to be too critical and maintained that it is a pleasure to watch his star player.

"“I think since the beginning of the situation it was tough to manage, but all the time we kept united about this situation and about Riyad,” Claude Puel was quoted as saying by the Leicester Mercury.“That was the most important thing. Sometimes some players can make a mistake. It was the first time for him and it was a mistake but the most important thing is to look forward and put it right.“He is fantastic player for us, his team-mates and the fans. It is a pleasure to watch him… It is important we continue together.”"

Riyad Mahrez is expected to be a regular part of Puel’s Leicester City, with the player now fully back in action and ready to play. Irrespective of how unprofessional his behaviour has been, the Algeria international is one of the Foxes’ best ever players, and certainly the best in terms of talent in the current side.

As Leicester aim for a Europa League spot, he’d be of extreme importance to the team, something that Puel is aware of. Maybe that’s the reason he has been so kind to Riyad Mahrez all this time? It’s what most of the managers would have done if they were in his place.

Next: Manchester rivals to battle it out for Harry Maguire in the summer

Next up for Leicester City are Sheffield United in the FA Cup 5th round before they host Stoke City the week thereafter.

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