Former Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez has once again taken aim at the Foxes, this time lamenting the times when late owner and chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha refused to sell him.
The Algerian winger seems unable to resist bringing up the issue, frustrating fans who’d much prefer that chapter of the club’s history be put to rest.
It was, of course, within Vichai’s rights to keep Mahrez at Leicester. The late chairman’s decision, which he took in the club’s best interest, is something the Blue Army are generally comfortable with.
What they’d rather see is one of their past stars speaking fondly of his time at Leicester, instead of dredging up grievances from years gone by.
After all, it was Leicester City that plucked Mahrez from relative obscurity in France’s second division, giving him a platform to showcase his talents on the world stage.
Without the care and attention he received at the club, it’s possible the Algerian wouldn’t have blossomed into the player he became. The transfer to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, the pinnacle of his career, might never have materialised without Leicester’s influence.
Yet, Mahrez seems to view his time at Leicester in a less charitable light. The winger recently claimed the club blocked a potential move to Arsenal, which he believes stalled his career.
“For me, it’s clear that I lost two years at the highest level. I lost two years! Because instead of arriving at City at 27, I could have been there at 24, 25. Leicester blocked me.
They told me: ‘You’re not leaving, you’re not leaving’. My agent had spoken to [Arsene] Wenger who really wanted me. It was nearly all done with Arsenal in 2016. I was really frustrated.”
Mahrez’s words have not gone down well with the Foxes faithful, many of whom feel he is being disrespectful to a club that helped shape his career.
While he was indeed under contract at the time and was held to that agreement, it’s worth remembering that Leicester avoided relegation during that period, hardly a wasted two years.
Some might view Mahrez as ungrateful, but it’s undeniable that he’s a significant part of Leicester City’s history.
He played a crucial role in their remarkable Premier League title win in 2016, a memory that will forever be etched in the minds of the club’s supporters.
However, with these recent comments, it’s become increasingly difficult for fans to look back on his time at the club with warmth.
To add to this, Mahrez’s appearance on the reality show Married To The Game raised further eyebrows. His treatment of his wife on the programme, perceived by many as unkind and demeaning, did little to endear him to a wider audience.
These actions, both on and off the pitch, have given Leicester supporters plenty to think about when reflecting on their former star.