Guardiola feels a change in Riyad Mahrez’s attitude is the reason for the City winger’s recent success, highlighting the need of maintaining such form.
Pep Guardiola, the manager of City, has commented on Mahrez’s performance recently. Mahrez, who had trouble getting starts early in the season and didn’t manage to score until October, now appears to be in great shape and with a lot of grit.
Since scoring, he has returned to the starting right-wing position and in 12 games for Manchester City, he has eight goals and two assists, including a brace against Chelsea in the FA Cup.
Riyad Mahrez was benched against Chelsea in the Premier League but when he was granted a start in the FA Cup against the same opponents, the player was eager to shine and netted a brace which has now pushed his goal tally against Chelsea this season to four goals in 3 appearances.
The players’ desire to start matches can be considered as a crucial factor in their better form, therefore Guardiola could be applauded for changing the players’ attitude midway through the season.
Guardiola gave the player a lot of challenges because he wasn’t in great shape from the summer, pushing the player to perform better, and after missing the out on the world cup games in Qatar, a new and in-form Mahrez emerged.
The City manager spoke extensively in an interview on the players’ approach toward playing and how the player should be trying very hard to be the best version of himself. He said:
“The quality from Riyad is everything. He loves to play football, helped us to play the game, he played really good, and at 0-0 that can happen. He played an outstanding game playing wider. Good game.He never lost the love [for football]. He loves to play football.”
“Riyad is a fantastic player, I know how important he is. But I want the Riyad of last game that play from the beginning in Stamford Bridge and had an incredible impact. if Riyad is sitting here I would say to him, the way Riyad is training and playing right.” he added
The city boss went on to stress how vital it was that the players maintained their form and proclaims that if a player is in top form, he has every reason to force himself into the starting XI and play more games.
He feels that allowing a player to see himself on the bench and start less games can motivate him to perform better, as he has done with Riyad Mahrez.
City will be eager to extend their winning streak against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, and with Mahrez’s recent performances, it will come as no surprise if he is named to the starting XI.