Riyad Mahrez running out of time to convince Man City of his importance amid mini-slump

The World Cup is fast approaching and for a large majority of Manchester City's squad, the last few games before the winter break will be pivotal as they aim to improve their chances of starting for their countries this winter.

But whilst every member of the City squad will be looking to impress in the quartet of fixtures that are left, one in particular has reason more than most to stand out.

Riyad Mahrez finished as the club's top scorer last season, weighing in with 24 goals - top by some distance, with Kevin de Bruyne second on the list five goals further back.

But while the Algerian starred last term, this year he has been resigned to largely playing second fiddle.

In the Premier League he has started just four out of 12 games and in all competitions he's netted just twice so far - some way off last season's exploits.

The 31-year-old has struggled to hold down one of the three attacking roles, with new signing Erling Haaland breaking all kinds of scoring records and Phil Foden going through the gears also. That has left just one attacking spot in City's first-choice XI and more often than not it has been Bernardo Silva who has filled the final vacancy.

Mahrez hasn't helped his cause either, with not one but two missed penalties this term. He botched spot-kicks against both Copenhagen and Dortmund in the Champions League and has since been taken off them by Pep Guardiola. He certainly looks off the pace compared to last season which is worrying considering he signed a bumper new deal just this summer.

But with Algeria having failed to qualify for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, Mahrez knows he now has the perfect window to make a big impression in the games against Sevilla, Fulham, Chelsea and Brentford.

A glimpse of the dazzling Mahrez from last season would be the ideal way for him to send a timely reminder to his boss ahead of the second half of the campaign.