Leicester City are in major trouble sitting just one point outside of the relegation zone. Riyad Mahrez is the man who can fire the Foxes to safety.
Leicester City being in relegation trouble this season was a lot more predictable than their Premier League title win last season was. But with 14 games now to go in the campaign, the Foxes look like they are going to be in danger right up until the end of the campaign. The title win was a smoother ride than this.
The entire Leicester team looks like a shell of the outfit that made history last season. The club may well be history makers again, but this time for the wrong reasons. That reason being the first ever Premier League team to win the title and then be relegated the following season.
Not one member of the team who was around last season is doing himself justice right now. Every one of them needs to turn it up a level or two if the club are to avoid the drop. But the one man who holds the club’s key to survival is Riyad Mahrez.
Leicester City were not known for being the most talented team in the league last season. They were gritty, organized, determined and had great chemistry. It was a real team effort. Mahrez was the only player who brought that something a little bit special. That something is absent this year.
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Jamie Vardy grabbed headlines for his goalscoring, but Vardy needed things laying on for him. He’s not about to create his own goals and do things by himself. The only player Leicester have like that is Mahrez. The Algerian is capable of doing special things on his own accord. No help.
And this season, it looks like there may be no help. The team organization and stubborn defense that the club were so recognized for last year is gone. That title-winning spirit is gone too. Leicester cannot rely on their defense to keep them up.
The Foxes need to start striking at the other end. The only man who can ignite that part of the team, the only spark, is Mahrez. If Mahrez can find some of his magic, he can create for Vardy and others. Goals will then build confidence for the striker. Wins will build confidence for the rest of the team. Momentum can build.
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Mahrez can score himself. He can do it out of nothing. He can do it all on his own. It’s time, now, for Mahrez to do that. It’s time for last year’s PFA Player of the Year to find some of the form that earned him that accolade. If he does, the others just might follow behind.
At this point, it seems Riyad Mahrez is the only one who can spark Leicester City towards Premier League safety.