Confident Mahrez expects important Manchester City role
Riyad Mahrez fully expects to be a central figure at new club Manchester City after leaving Leicester City.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nVzitycp6fTZrXMSGf6q8m.jpg)
Riyad Mahrez has no doubts over his ability to see off fierce competition and earn a place in Manchester City's star-studded starting XI.
The Algeria international ended a long-running transfer saga when he completed a reported club-record £60million move from Leicester City on Tuesday.
Though he was close to joining the Premier League champions in January, questions have been raised over how the winger fits into a team already flush with attacking talent.
Mahrez, however, believes he is capable of breaking into Pep Guardiola's plans.
"I never thought about it," he told reporters on Thursday.
"After what they've done, of course it is amazing work. They broke all the Premier League records which is unbelievable, but no I never thought about this.
"I'm very confident about myself and I hope to improve this team."
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
MAHREZ: It’s a club who wants to win the UCL. City are a big club and have everything to try to win it. It’s a goal. Now we will have to work and see what can happen.July 12, 2018
Mahrez's impressive four-and-a-half years at Leicester, which included a stunning league title in 2015-16, made him hot property both in England and abroad.
The 27-year-old revealed the pull of Guardiola ensured City was always his preferred destination.
"Pep is a big manager who has won a lot of things and made history at this club," he said.
"I wanted to work under him and to play in this club. I didn't hesitate at all. He wanted me."
![Arne Slot head coach of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield on December 01, 2024 in Liverpool, England.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3xTbkGtr7hRGpxxB4hofcg-840-80.jpg)
‘Slot hasn’t come in and changed everything, making it all about himself – it’s been about the players he’s inherited, getting the best out of a system he likes’: Liverpool manager impressing former players with personality and tactical approach
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrating after scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield on October 20, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y6uSyarD69cTjYZM7M4Z33-840-80.jpg)
‘We thought we’d signed him, but Chelsea blew us away. I think they signed him so we couldn’t have him, as much as because they really wanted him’: Liverpool actually failed to sign Mohamed Salah in 2014, three years before finally getting the Egyptian