As Riyad Mahrez’s reported transfer to Manchester City is dragged on, many fans over the country have discussed his value – with Leicester City fans believing he is worth more than the reported £60 million on offer from the Citizens.
Here we will discuss this, whilst taking a look at his stats over the last few seasons and comparisons to the Premier League’s best attacking player’s.
The former PFA player of the year was instrumental to Leicester City winning the Premier League in 2015/16. Seen as potential relegation candidates when Claudio Ranieri took over, they completed arguably the best footballing story in history.
The instrumental trio of Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy and N’golo Kante helped Leicester win the Premier League by ten points, with Mahrez contributing 17 goals and 11 assists.
The Algerian International understandably was receiving plaudits from all over the world with likes of Barcelona taking an interest in him. The Thailand owners managed to convince the magician to give the Foxes at least one more season at the King Power Stadium.
After a disappointing season in 2016/17 – Mahrez and Leicester didn’t quite reach the heights of the previous season despite reaching the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final.
In 2017/18 the fleet-footed winger rediscovered some of his magical form, despite an indifferent season for Leicester City as a team. He registered 12 goals and 10 assists.
But how does he compare to some of the other attacking players in the Premier League?
Player Comparisons
Riyad Mahrez has some impressive stats for Leicester City in the Premier League – in fact he has hit double figures for goals and assists in two of the last three seasons. But how does he compare against the very best the Premier League has to offer?
If we are to compare players, it is only fair we do so for players in similar positions and to gauge over a good period of time rather than just a one-off. This way we can really get to grips with how good Riyad Mahrez is or isn’t.
When you think of the best wingers in the Premier League you automatically think of players such as:
- Eden Hazard
- Raheem Sterling
- Leroy Sane
- Saido Mane
- Wilfred Zaha
But how can we compare them against each other? Goals and Assists are important but there are more ways we can do that as well, like:
- Chances created
- Key Passes
- Pass Completion
- Successful Take On’s
- Shots on Target
- Shot Accuracy
This will give us a better understanding of how Mahrez compares against the best wingers in the Premier League. To give us a better overview we will take a look at results over the last 3 seasons – 2015/16 to 2017/18.
Eden Hazard vs Riyad Mahrez
The Chelsea wide man is arguably considered the best winger in the Premier League – Helping Chelsea to two Premier League titles since arriving in 2012/13.
The Chelsea talisman is their main creative force, but how does he compare to Riyad Mahrez?
Eden Hazard
- Games Played – 100
- Minutes played – 7509
- Goals – 32
- Assists – 12
- Chances Created – 231
- Key Passes – 219
- Pass Completion – 84%
- Successful Take On’s – 392
- Shots on Target – 182
- Shot Accuracy – 60%
Riyad Mahrez
- Games Played – 109
- Minutes played – 8652
- Goals – 34
- Assists – 24
- Chances Created – 172
- Key Passes – 148
- Pass Completion – 77%
- Successful Take On’s – 287
- Shots on Target – 230
- Shot Accuracy – 63%
What do the stats show?
This information shows that they have similar styles and their stats are also similar. The Belgian attacker is superior in successful take on’s and chance creation, but the Algerian is more lethal in front of goal with more goals, shots on target and a higher shot accuracy. Despite creating more chances Hazard is lacking in the assists department with only half of what assists Mahrez has to his name.
Conclusion
Riyad Mahrez certainly matches Eden Hazard when it comes to stats, and taking into account the level of teams they play for you would expect a player of Hazard’s ability to have better stats in some aspects of his play.
Hazard 8 – 8 Mahrez
Raheem Sterling vs Riyad Mahrez
Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has just had the season of his life, assisting the magnificent Citizens to a comfortable Premier League title.
Registering an impressive 18 goals and 10 assists – The England international will be hoping he can carry on this form in the World Cup, but how does he compare to Riyad Mahrez?
Raheem Sterling
- Games Played – 97
- Minutes played – 7020
- Goals – 31
- Assists – 18
- Chances Created – 129
- Key Passes – 113
- Pass Completion – 83%
- Successful Take On’s – 176
- Shots on Target – 195
- Shot Accuracy – 54%
Riyad Mahrez
- Games Played – 109
- Minutes played – 8652
- Goals – 34
- Assists – 24
- Chances Created – 172
- Key Passes – 148
- Pass Completion – 77%
- Successful Take On’s – 287
- Shots on Target – 230
- Shot Accuracy – 63%
What do the stats show?
This information shows that even after the season of his life Raheem Sterling’s stats simply do not match against Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian International has outscored, has more assists, chances created, key passes, successful take on’s and a better shot accuracy.
Conclusion
Riyad Mahrez wins this one hands down, however it needs to be taken into context with Mahrez as Leicester’s main creative outlet and Sterling one of a number of players that Man City can count on to come up with the goods.
Sterling 4 – 8 Mahrez
Leroy Sane vs Riyad Mahrez
As Leroy Sane has only played in the Premier League for two seasons, the stats for this comparison will only show for 2016/17 and 2017/18.
The German wide man has just had a fantastic season, lighting up the Premier League with his pace and direct running resulting in double figures for goals and Assists. But how does he compare with Riyad Mahrez?
Leroy Sane
- Games Played – 58
- Minutes played – 4212
- Goals – 15
- Assists – 18
- Chances Created – 92
- Key Passes – 74
- Pass Completion – 82%
- Successful Take On’s – 136
- Shots on Target – 90
- Shot Accuracy – 50%
Riyad Mahrez
- Games Played – 72
- Minutes played – 5612
- Goals – 17
- Assists – 13
- Chances Created – 105
- Key Passes – 92
- Pass Completion – 79%
- Successful Take On’s – 156
- Shots on Target – 127
- Shot Accuracy – 63%
What do the stats show?
This information shows that even out of the last two seasons, when you take out Riyad Mahrez’s most successful season his stats still stack up against Leroy Sane. Obviously Leroy Sane is still only 22 and will get even better but even after the fantastic season he has just had in the rampant Man City side, he only beats Mahrez for assists. Mahrez has more goals, chances created, key passes successful take ons and better shooting stats.
Conclusion
Riyad Mahrez comes out on top in this even when taking out his most successful stats in a Leicester City shirt. Sane is a fantastic talent but so far Mahrez out performers him.
Sane 5 – 8 Mahrez
Saido Mane vs Riyad Mahrez
Saido Mane moved from Southampton to Liverpool in 2016 and since moving to Anfield he has been one of their top performers. Using his electric pace and eye for goal it is easy to see why Liverpool brought in from the south coast side. But how does he compare with Riyad Mahrez?
Saido Mane
- Games Played – 93
- Minutes played – 6975
- Goals – 34
- Assists – 19
- Chances Created – 135
- Key Passes – 116
- Pass Completion – 79%
- Successful Take On’s – 199
- Shots on Target – 213
- Shot Accuracy – 53%
Riyad Mahrez
- Games Played – 109
- Minutes played – 8652
- Goals – 34
- Assists – 24
- Chances Created – 172
- Key Passes – 148
- Pass Completion – 77%
- Successful Take On’s – 287
- Shots on Target – 230
- Shot Accuracy – 63%
What do the stats show?
These stats show that they are fairly even over goals and assists, however Mahrez is more of a creator which is shown in his key passes and chances created in comparison to Saido Mane. Whilst Mane is known more from his direct running using his rapid pace and having a good eye for goal – Mahrez’s stats still match up to those of the Senegalese attacker.
Conclusion
Riyad Mahrez edges this one and is maybe closer than some fans outside of Anfield might realise. Overall Mahrez has the better overall output but Mane isn’t far behind.
Mane 7 – 8 Mahrez
Wilfred Zaha vs Riyad Mahrez
Wilfred Zaha is one of the most exciting Premier League wingers when he is on the ball, his ability to beat his man with flair, skill and pace are his main qualities.
Since moving back to Crystal Palace after his move to Manchester United didn’t work out he has become their talisman. But how does he compare with Riyad Mahrez?
Wilfred Zaha
- Games Played – 98
- Minutes played – 7973
- Goals – 17
- Assists – 12
- Chances Created – 126
- Key Passes – 114
- Pass Completion – 77%
- Successful Take On’s – 381
- Shots on Target – 144
- Shot Accuracy – 49%
Riyad Mahrez
- Games Played – 109
- Minutes played – 8652
- Goals – 34
- Assists – 24
- Chances Created – 172
- Key Passes – 148
- Pass Completion – 77%
- Successful Take On’s – 287
- Shots on Target – 230
- Shot Accuracy – 63%
What do the stats show?
These stats show that the Algerian’s goals and assists dwarf those of the Ivory Coast international – as expected Zaha beats Mahrez for successful take ons, but barring that Mahrez is superior in the other departments.
Conclusion
Riyad Mahrez beats Zaha on this – It shows the importance of the end product, which is where Zaha needs to improve. He is clearly a talented player but without the end product he will be no match for Mahrez.
Zaha 3 – 8 Mahrez
Mahrez’s Value
We have taken a look at player comparisons, so where does Mahrez rank after that?
- Eden Hazard – 8
- Riyad Mahrez – 8
- Saido Mane – 7
- Leroy Sane – 5
- Raheem Sterling – 4
- Wilfred Zaha – 3
From that we have determined that Riyad Mahrez does stack up against the very best in the Premier League (of those in the Premier League for more than one season).
Player Value
In today’s market of over inflated transfer fees, it is extremely difficult to determine a players true worth in the market now. The only way to try to work out is by using the current transfer fees going around, the player’s ability and their importance to their club.
Take for example Virgil Van Djik. He has recently just joined Liverpool for £75 million pounds. He is a centre back (usually at the lower end of the scale in terms of transfer fees), but his importance to Southampton coupled with Liverpool’s desperation to sign a quality centre back raised the value.
Here are the list of the record transfer fees:
- Neymar – PSG – 2017 – £199.8m
- Kylian Mbappe – PSG – 2017 –£162m
- Phillipe Coutinho – Barcelona – 2018 – £112.5m
- Ousmane Dembele – Barcelona – 2017 – £103.5m
- Paul Pogba – Manchester United – 2016 – £94.5m
- Gareth Bale – Real Madrid – 2013 – £90.9m
- Cristiano Ronaldo -Real Madrid – 2009 – £84.6m
- Gonzalo Higuain – Juventus – 2016 – £81m
- Neymar – Barcelona – 2013 – £79.83m
- Romelu Lukaku – Manchester United – 2017 – £76.2m
Figures taken from www.transfermarkt.co.uk
According to transfermarkt Eden Hazard is worth £99.0m, whilst Riyad Mahrez is valued at £45.0m. Man City duo Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane are both valued at £90.0m – with Saido Mane at £63.0m and Wilfred Zaha worth £27.0m.
What I read from that is players values are taken from who they play for too. The Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool players are valued higher than those of Leicester City and Crystal Palace irrespective of how they have performed.
So whilst Transfermarkt currently value Mahrez at £45m and the quoted figures Man City are bidding for Riyad Mahrez are ranging from £60-75m.
On paper that looks like Leicester are getting a good deal – however the Foxes do not need to sell, financially they are well off. Mahrez’s worth is higher to Leicester than how much money they will receive for him too.
His stats match up to the best in the division over time so by all accounts he should be valued at the same.
So in my opinion taking all of this into account he should be valued at:
Riyad Mahrez = £90-£100 million!!
Please note all stats in this article have been taken from Squawka.
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