When Leicester City won the Premier League in 2016, it took the football world by surprise.
Claudio Ranieri would be at the center of one of the greatest underdog stories in the history of the beautiful game, as the Foxes took advantage of underperforming English heavyweights to win the Premier League title, finishing at the top with 81 points, following a comfortable mid-table finish under Nigel Pearson the previous season.
Thanks to this amazing accomplishment, King Power Stadium was able to host Champions League football for the first time and go on to win the FA Cup and Community Shield.
A player who was instrumental in their success was Riyad Mahrez, who was acquired in 2014 for a rumored £400,000 from Le Havre, a French team.
The Algerian international made history for Leicester by recording 17 goals and 10 assists from 37 league games during the championship-winning campaign, solidifying his status as one of the best players to wear a royal blue shirt.
Even though many Foxes supporters disapproved of the way he left the team, Mahrez’s legendary status for the magical moments he created during his time in the East Midlands must come from the profit made on such a low investment.
How did Riyad Mahrez perform at Leicester City?
Mahrez was a member of the 2014–15 team that, despite losing seven of their final nine games, miraculously maintained their top flight status after winning promotion to the Premier League for the first time in ten years.
In just 30 Premier League games, Mahrez finished with four goals and three assists, including a brace against Southampton at the start of May.
The winger’s success led to a new four-year contract offer from the club, which he fulfilled by continuing to contribute creatively to such a fluid team.
Before reaching double figures in December, Mahrez made history against Swansea City by becoming the first Algerian to score a Premier League hat-trick. Mahrez had scored four goals in his first three games.
Mahrez was one of four Leicester players selected to the PFA Team of the Year following the team’s Premier League victory, and he later won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year title.
Mahrez became the first Algerian to win a Premier League medal and the first African to receive the award.
With four goals and two assists in the competition, the winger helped the Foxes advance to the Champions League quarterfinals despite the team’s lackluster 12th place finish in the next season.
Mahrez announced his intention to leave Leicester at the end of the 2016–17 season, drawing interest from Arsenal and Roma. Mahrez’s behavior at Leicester was harshly criticized after he stopped going to training after an initial agreement with Manchester City fell through.
How did Riyad Mahrez perform after leaving Leicester City?
After all, Mahrez became the most expensive African football player when he signed a deal to join the Citizens for an estimated £60 million.
During his five years at the Etihad Stadium, the Algerian was a mainstay of Pep Guardiola’s first team and won four more Premier League titles, three League Cup trophies, two FA Cups, and a Champions League title.
Mahrez would go on to play in 145 top-tier games, tallying 43 goals and 37 assists.
This season, the wide player signed a lucrative contract to play in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ahli, where he has made 14 appearances while contributing six goals and seven assists.
Is Riyad Mahrez Leicester City’s best ever signing?
Given the happiness and excitement Mahrez brought to Leicester fans while he was a player for the team, it’s difficult to ignore him when asked this question.
Mahrez’s departure undoubtedly contributed to the Foxes’ recent struggles because his talent was so valuable for such a small price. The biggest clubs in England aren’t always aware of these types of breakthrough signings.
Without a large financial commitment, Leicester supporters are unlikely to see a player with his level of technical skill and ability to inspire the team on numerous occasions and create moments out of nothing again. Foxes fans should consider themselves fortunate to have witnessed one of the world’s best football players develop into a player.
Given his incredible rise from non-league football to a Premier League icon, Jamie Vardy certainly trails Mahrez in popularity, but the Algerian must rank highest on the list given the numerous honors he has received throughout his playing career and the club’s enormous return on investment, even in the wake of his turbulent departure from the team.
Mahrez was a complete surprise to Leicester when they acquired him, and they will be well served to locate another inexpensive star who can match the output the Algerian has given them over the years.
