Riyad Mahrez must improve his physical condition if he wants to get back into the Manchester City team, according to Pep Guardiola.
Mahrez was on the bench again for Sunday's win over United and has started just two of City's eight Premier League games this season. With Phil Foden scoring three at the weekend and Jack Grealish coming into form, it is only going to get harder for the Algerian winger to regain his place in the team.
Guardiola knows just how important Mahrez can be - he was the club's top scorer last season and stepped up in a number of big games - yet at the same time has been very clear that he wants more from him. Even if his footballing ability is not in doubt, the manager expects him to be in better shape before he starts picking him again.
"He knows [what he needs to do]," said Guardiola. "I know Riyad perfectly. We need him, he has to come back to his best and at his best Riyad in terms of personality, quality, ability, his love for this game how he enjoys to play. Step by step, he's going to come back.
"He has to come back in a better physical condition and after the best will come because as a player I cannot teach him anything because he is too good."
City's game with Copenhagen could offer Mahrez a route back into the team, although Guardiola warned against underestimating their opponents - especially after thrashing United.
"That is the problem and after the game against United this is the biggest issue. Hopefully I can tell them and show them to pay a lot of attention because it is not easy to break the structure they have against Sevilla - I saw this morning and they were brilliant, Sevilla struggled to break them.
"I know what they can do, they have a quality to play and are brave to go forward, when they have the ball they don't just play long balls to the striker. They have the ability and courage to play and we have to try to force them to play long balls but they have many many things. I was surprised this morning when I watched how many good things they did."
Pequos23
1
I think he is better than Rodrygo
yatdklopz
0
arsenal player already coming season that one
yabablpruy
0
if it was Jose the media will take it as like the world is coming to an end, pep is so wise that he will show him the exit door gradually.
Gajaak
0
Mahrez will take over soon, that's how pep rotate his players to win the league...when players get exhausted in mid season and teams study city that's when Mahrez comes in with something different to change the rhythm....Well done Pep.
Hibacnorz
0
Another black player targeted?Reminds me of Eto Yaya and most recently the England striker saga.We will be watching the developments.Help me keep abrest with this one
Aguero was also kept out along with Yaya. But Aguero worked hard and earned his place while Yaya was busy playing black victim card.
Hibacnorz
0
Another black player targeted?Reminds me of Eto Yaya and most recently the England striker saga.We will be watching the developments.Help me keep abrest with this one
Last season grealish was kept out for mahrez. Where were you then?
DUTCH8UKBLUE
1
Riyadh Mahrez is a great player, but I did say two or three times last season his cardio vascular capacity could improve! As well as he plays, there were games, quite a few where he seemed to get tired very quickly! there were quite a few performances where I thought he did not give his all for 90 minutes, sometimes I felt we only got 100% for 30 mins max! CTID 💙
Vapdikrsz
0
so you forced man United to play long balls right?
MomoduASombaijr
1
Let Chelsea go for Mahrez
Kibdeiknoz
0
Imagine mahrez in top form and City play like this 😭😭 Grealish - Foden Alvarez - Haaland Palmer - Mahrez Gundogan - Bernado K. Philips - Rodri S. Gomez - Cancelo Laporte - Dias Stones - Akanji *Still need a RB for injury prone Kyle Walker City is Star Studded !!!!!!!
[image]
No KDB?
Tipeikstu
1
Pep you are a general in football as a coach mahrsz is complete down simple truth as you can't compear him with foden or grealish right now man need to wake up this is not about leaving the club.
Kosbiklnps
1
I think Mahrez is better than grelish by far you can't compare
Roabcdiosz
0
where is Kevin phillips
Alhaji30
0
Mahrez is a better attacker than Grealish to be honest.
💯 times
D-Maestreo
1
Imagine mahrez in top form and City play like this 😭😭 Grealish - Foden Alvarez - Haaland Palmer - Mahrez Gundogan - Bernado K. Philips - Rodri S. Gomez - Cancelo Laporte - Dias Stones - Akanji *Still need a RB for injury prone Kyle Walker City is Star Studded !!!!!!!
TiyanjaneChalamwendo
1
he is going to leave in January
lawalidris
2
If Mahrez is not sure of regular time for obvious reason, he should join Arsenal or Chelsea in January transfer where his place will be guaranteed
meoabeinuy
1
Mahrez is a best player we need him at Chelsea...
pamadimnuy
0
Another black player targeted?Reminds me of Eto Yaya and most recently the England striker saga.We will be watching the developments.Help me keep abrest with this one
lilmen20
0
good coach
RaghibMustafa
1
Pep trying to accommodate Mahrez be like....
Charlesugwu
2
This Bald-Man is joyously over demanding of his players. Definitely Haaland will become something wonderful at City. Just hope Pep will commit his future to the club.
SubashChandru
0
Mahrez is a better attacker than Grealish to be honest.
Sell Mahrez AC Milan., Bring Rafael Leao
fembcmsuz
5
Mahrez is a better attacker than Grealish to be honest.
29082989(deleted)
0
January transfer Mahrez should move to Arsenal and join Jesus.
Lmao Man city jr
GopsAmeshu
3
January transfer Mahrez should move to Arsenal and join Jesus.
faobdortyz
2
I really dnt like how u want his best Just last year we was the highest goal scorer for u U not treating that young man right
Fiacdinsz
2
i dont know why player want to work with pep bcause today he start you after a year you are a bench player
Fiacdinsz
0
pep is a joker
Shauny300
1
I actually completely forgot about Mahrez I should've follow Sterling & run while he could lol it's a sticky situation
Hoeabdenz
2
after he has given you all his best, u want to dump him... abi.