Leicester City

Leicester City boss Claude Puel: 'Riyad Mahrez is a more complete player'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 22 January 2018

Leicester City manager Claude Puel claims that Riyad Mahrez is playing better now than during the Foxes' Premier League title-winning campaign.

Leicester City manager Claude Puel has claimed that Riyad Mahrez has developed into a 'more complete player' since the club's Premier League title-winning campaign.

Mahrez played a key role in the Foxes lifting the top-flight crown in 2016 but during the current season, the playmaker has produced a similar number of eye-catching performances.

The Algerian international has contributed eight goals and seven assists in English football's top tier, and Puel has suggested that his star man has matured as a player since the highs of 18 months ago.

The 56-year-old is quoted by Sky Sports News as saying: "Better? I think he's more complete, he can do more penetration, he is an experienced player and has good maturity.

"When he can make penetration or play simple, it's good for him and the team. It was a different play [style], it was a direct play, long ball, and after with Jamie [Vardy] and Riyad they made the difference.

"He can make some penetration like one or two years ago but also he can organise the play with one or two touches and can give assists - he is more complete."

Mahrez has recently been linked with a move away from the King Power Stadium, but Puel has insisted that no transfer will take place before the end of the season.