....okay firstly, I completely acknowledge this is more of a ranting blog than probing thread for discussion but I feel the need to use this forum as therapy.
Candidly speaking, I thought Mahrez was poor last year, more patchy than people remember the year before and IMO (and according to the stats) doesn't pass enough (maybe he has been Gray's mentor). However, despite a growing resentment for today's market in terms of transfer fees, wages and, in particular, the meddling of agents, there is a clear argument that Mahrez is worth more than £30m amongst the loony tunes fees that we see banded around. Yet, the media have continually bleeted on about Leicester almost having a cheek to ask for more, supported by the continual ramblings of Roma. The thing that has finally angered me (and hey, maybe it is a summer off from teaching fuelled by rose wine and being introduced to 'the walking dead' for the first time <leading of course to drunk infused binge sessions of Zombie filled TV> ) is that there seems to be an unspoken but definite undercurrent that the issue from the media and Roma is not the amount of money being asked for but that it is Leicester asking for it. Roma have now come and declared that there is nothing more they can do and that their hands are tied...well you could offer more money. And this is not to say that they should, but the fact it has been turned into a continual media saga that they haven't - or more so, that we have asked them to - is the nucleus for my mini rant.
My own opinion is that we should sell Mahrez and if possible, over the next few days (now unlikely) but this constant and public moaning from Roma and media alike is condescending and frankly (a lot like this post by now) boring.
Mahrez rant....
posted on 8/8/17
Roma: 'nearly won the league, we can get a good player on the cheap from an average English club'
posted on 8/8/17
comment by Keep_the_faith1 (U8129)
posted 16 minutes ago
We'd get torn apart by any team with class wide players. Would be good for Mahrez inclusion though as we wouldn't have to rely on him marking/tracking back/tackling
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You speaking to me? The inclusion of Ndidi and Iborra would protect you out wide like Dier/Wanyama and Dembele do for us.
posted on 8/8/17
Who would be marking the players in the middle of the park if Ndidi and Iborra (one of which Im concerned wouldn't be a mobile midfield dropping out to cover the flanks) - I feel there would be a simple ball inside every single time. I think Ndidi having to drop out wide would be a waste. Through gritted teeth - Spurs are a much better team than Leicester when it comes to sitting or being a solid attacking team - I just think your suggestion, with our personel would leave us very vulnerable.
posted on 8/8/17
comment by Keep_the_faith1 (U8129)
posted 5 minutes ago
Who would be marking the players in the middle of the park if Ndidi and Iborra (one of which Im concerned wouldn't be a mobile midfield dropping out to cover the flanks) - I feel there would be a simple ball inside every single time. I think Ndidi having to drop out wide would be a waste. Through gritted teeth - Spurs are a much better team than Leicester when it comes to sitting or being a solid attacking team - I just think your suggestion, with our personel would leave us very vulnerable.
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Every formation has potential weaknesses and strengths though, the 442 means you get overrun in the midfield.
I just look at your team and think you have reasonably good fullbacks, three good midfielders (Ndidi being very good) another player who on his day is unstoppable and two good strikers. That is one of the formation that gets the best out of them going forward, and tbh you should be looking to overrun the teams below you not necessarily the ones above.
posted on 8/8/17
I think Roma are just trying to stir Mahrez into action against Leicester, making out they've done everything possible while undervaluing him completely.
posted on 8/8/17
"We've done everything we can to bring this player in.
...Except meet his valuation within £15m."
posted on 8/8/17
It will be a very, very sad day when Riyad leaves. The best player EVER to don the blue shirt in my opinion. Quite simply a Magician who gets people on the edge of their seats every time he gets the ball.
Kyle Walker £45m?? Riyad £30m??
posted on 8/8/17
I'm hoping nobody comes in and exceeds the £32 million bid from Roma for Mahrez.
It would be a big indicator to Riyad to show everybody again the form of 2015/16 to put himself firmly in the spotlight.
This can only be good for Leicester City and Mahrez himself.
Who knows, but if he does that it would probably mean we are doing very, very well again.
He would be enjoying his football, be the apple of the fans eye and his team-mates and could, possibly could, make him see out the full season here?
posted on 9/8/17
Some 'fans' were booing Riyad on Friday.
We don't need to sell, and if nobody comes in with a better offer, shouldn't do so. Far better for the lad to have a great season and go next Summer.
posted on 9/8/17
I see Roma are up to their old tricks.
Juve have just bid €30m for Kevin Strootman. Roma have rejected the offer valuing the player at closer to €45m.
You couldn't make it up !