Wide men have played a significant role for Leicester City over the years. Here we list the best of them, continuing with number 1.
One of the key reasons for Leicester’s astounding title win in 2016 was the signing, for a pittance, of three players who became world class. Jamie Vardy and N’Golo Kante were two of them. The other was Riyad Mahrez who I think is the best winger City have ever had. Much of the credit for picking him, and the other two, up must go to the club’s scouting system and particularly Steve Walsh.
Growing up playing street football in a Paris suburb, the 22-year-old Algerian played non-league football in France before going for an ill-fated trial with Scottish side St. Mirren. He played for a small club in Brittany before being picked up by French Ligue 2 outfit Le Havre. Walsh had gone to a Le Havre game to watch another player (Ryan Mendes) but it was Mahrez that caught his eye. In the winter transfer window in January 2014, he signed for Leicester in a £400,000 deal.
Like Vardy, Riyad, although undoubtedly skilful, had been overlooked by top clubs because of doubts over his physical stature – his legs do resemble matchsticks. Unlike Vardy, Mahrez made an immediate impact in the Championship scoring three goals in 12 starts and a number of assists in the side that won promotion. What was to follow, of course, is etched in the minds of all Leicester City fans.
Whilst Vardy was the artisan, all aggression and pace, Mahrez was the artist, his ability to drift in from the right wing on his left foot with extreme levels of skill making the whole football community sit up and take notice. With 17 goals and 11 assists he won the PFA player of the year award in the 2015/16 season. In total, Riyad made 179 appearances for Leicester scoring 48 goals, an excellent return for a wide player.
Although Mahrez signed a new four-year contract in the summer of 2016 it soon became apparent that he was looking for bigger and better things. In January 2018, he made it clear he wanted to leave and when a transfer to Manchester City fell through went AWOL for ten days and, it is claimed, only returned to play for Leicester when it was made clear to him he would be allowed to go in the next transfer window.
With Manchester City, Mahrez won five Premier League titles as well as a Champions League winners medal in 2023. At the end of that season, he moved to the newly created Saudi Pro League where he plays for Al-Ahil.
Riyad’s behaviour in the latter part of his Leicester career didn’t endear himself to Foxes' fans. However, most did not begrudge him a move to a bigger stage and were willing to thank him for his substantial part in the club’s greatest hour.
More on Sunday.