Riyad Mahrez’s added-time presence at Leicester City already has a sense of departure to it.
It’s almost as if the exit – and the follow-up – is more awaited than his last days at the King Power Stadium are being cherished. The Algerian may yet do his bit to fire the Foxes into the UEFA Europa League, but the fact that he already seems like a lost Asian in Rome is the truth for the moment – and it won’t change.
It would be a sheer lie to say that the Leicester City fans want him gone. Yes, there a few who haven’t taken his antics well, but a vast majority of the fanbase only has respect for him and his calibre, which is why they’d still want him at the club next season, possibly doing his thing in Europe. However, one would be away with the fairies to think that he’s staying.
It’s important that Leicester City stop being stubborn anymore and prepare for life after Mahrez to make it easy for themselves. The market being as is, it won’t be easy to get someone equally as good, especially without the lure of the UEFA Champions League, but money does indeed do the talking these days. Leicester do have money.
So who are the potential candidates that Claude Puel may look to next summer? We have a look:
Hatem Ben Arfa
Possibility: 8/10
Since Claude Puel’s appointment at Leicester City, there has barely been a day when Hatem Ben Arfa hasn’t been linked with a move to the East Midlands. The 30-year old winger had his best days at OGC Nice under the Frenchman, scoring 18 goals and assisting seven in 2015/16 as Nice finished fourth in Ligue 1.
Arfa moved to Paris Saint-Germain next season and has hardly been seen on the pitch thereafter. The former Hull City player is yet to feature for Unai Emery’s side this season, with the manager making it clear that there’s no possibility of him playing at the Parc des Princes anymore. Well, that’s all you would want to hear if you’re chasing a player, yes? The deal is not that simple, though.
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For Ben Arfa’s transfer to go through, Paris Saint-Germain would first have to “end his contract” and pay him €6 million (a year’s salary), or else, he won’t leave at all and let his contract run down. The French giants don’t want to pay a price for his exit, and he doesn’t want to leave for free.
Regardless, with the club and the player wanting to get rid of each other, Leicester City’s strong interest may just prove to be decisive.
Thorgan Hazard
Possibility: 5.5/10
Quite possibly the player that every Leicester City fan would want to see in place of Riyad Mahrez. He has got everything that a manager would want from an expensive forward. From pace to prowess to precision to versatility, Thorgan Hazard easily fits the bill. He has got the age on his side, too.
In addition to last season’s 11 goals and seven assists, the 24-year old has eight goals and eight assists this season already, further suggesting that he is making strides towards being truly world-class and consistent every season, just like his brother Eden Hazard. As you’d expect, however, such a player doesn’t come cheap or without competition.
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Apart from the fact that Borussia Monchengladbach will demand at least £40 million for his services, there will be a number of elite clubs with a bigger purse who’d want to sign him next summer. The Foxes may be 2/1 to sign the Belgian – well ahead of the other clubs that are chasing him, namely Borussia Dortmund (5/1), Bayern Munich (20/1) and RB Leipzig (7/1), but these are just mere numbers, and they do change pretty quickly.
For this one to happen, Leicester have no option but to pay big, big money.
Wilfred Zaha
Possibility: 5/10
It won’t be completely wrong to talk of Wilfred Zaha as the best player outside of the big six. The former Manchester United winger got 11 assists and seven goals with Crystal Palace last season – and that’s after they were dreadful for the better part of the campaign before kicking on under Sam Allardyce at the back end.
He has done well this season, too. Four goals and two assists might not appeal to the eyes, but if you again take Palace’s displays into account, you’d know just how good has he been. In fact, you don’t have to look at anything else but his display in the 3-0 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. The 25-year old absolutely tormented the hosts’ defence, petrifying them for as long as he stayed on the pitch. The Ivory Coast international was simply breathtaking that afternoon.
The problem here, again, is the money that’ll be demanded, plus the clubs who could be interested in him. He has the potential to be a top, top winger for years to come, and he easily fits into any side as well with all of his work rate, skill and the end product that he has on top of that. Who wouldn’t want him?
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Will Leicester go for him? They have never been linked to him, but you never know.