The first African player to win the PFA Player of the Year Award. Mahrez (AP©)
Riyad Mahrez. What a guy.
By 2014 he was a complete no-name, and Wahid Halilhoditz, the coach who took him to the World Cup with the Algerian national team, was accused for none-khalal motives. "He did not score much, but you could see his touch on the ball - it is something special," said the Bosnian. "They blamed me for taking bribe , but now they all thank me he was elected for Algeria and not France". Here are a few more good reasons to love and appreciate the 25-year-old forward, the Premier League player of the year, and maybe, the champion of England.
1. His Style
The first thing you notice at Mahrez, is this elegant and distinctive style of his. He seem to be going to lose the ball at any moment, but maintains absolute control over the rounded object. He is light, creative and surprising. The guy can dribble through 3-2 players, go back, and pass through the defender's legs, leaving a teammate to score. And he did that several times this season.
2. His Statistics
Mahrez provides a dreamy numbers this season. Out of Leicester's 63 goals in the Premier League this season, Mahrez have a direct part (scoring or assisting) in 28 of them- almost 50%. And these are only the goals numbers. He is in the top 3 at most the categories - dribbles, passes, tackles conceded, crosses, etc. Where the foxes were going this season without him?
3. He's a Chef
One of the most glaring of Mahrez is assisting. He has 11 of these this season, second only to Ozil from Arsenal. His ability to put Leicester's strikers , especially Vardy,in front of the goal, is simply not normal. What's amazing in Mahrez assists it's there timing. 80% of his assists this season are during the money-time, between the 60th and 90th minutes. Chef!
4. He's an Underdog
With 1.79 meters and 61 kilograms, Mahrez reaches almost every tackle the Premier League, in the air or on the ground, at a disadvantage. It does not bother him help defense when necessary, and to keep the ball under pressure. He confronts with a double guarding, a triple, and as we saw against Arsenal, even more than that. It's just enhances his achievements this term, and makes us to appreciate him more.
A stylish chef with crazy statistics (Getty Images©)
5. He's a Lefty
Left-footed footballers has a special charm. They are not necessarily better than the right-footed players, but they bring something different to the game. With varied options to dribble, pass and kick, and often right foot control as well, they provide the added value that each team needs. And when they are really good - they stand out above all the rest. Savicevic, Hagi, Rivaldo, Messi and Maradona, all are genius lefties. Now Mahrez is also a one.
6. He's Refreshing
Only at the age of 18 Mahrez started to live in an organized football routine. Before he joined Leicester, he played at the French fourth tier for Quemper. Then second division's Le Havre bought him, but the majority of the time he spent in reserve. In an interview with the Guardian, he admitted that it was after the death of his father, who was a footballer himself and pushed and encouraged him alot, he began to take the profession seriously. Since then he soars, and does not look back. In January 2014 Leicester paid about 500 thousand euros. Today, according to a German Transfermarkt, he is already worth more than 20 million euros, and still rising. From a nobody to someone within a year and a half. Mahrez broke into our consciousness out of nowhere, and it is certainly refreshing.
7. He's Cool
Mahrez is constantly cool. You won't see him gets angry, cursing, yelling, getting into unnecessary confrontations, or losing it. He is not indifferent, but he is certainly cool. Even if he misses, he doesn't get nervous, but runs to chase the ball. A dynamic and relaxed approach is exactly what it takes to succeed in the Premier League, and in life in general, and Mahrez definitely has it.
8. He's Human
People has a tendency to crown soccer stars as non human. Mahrez is not a one. In December, when he was in top form, rumors began linking him to Real Madrid. In next games Mahrez missed two penalties, missed sure opportunities and looked a bit "gray", with the whole team failing to win seven games in-a-row. In an interview with a French radio station he said, a little embarrassed, that the talk about Real made him fell very flattered and excited, but that he must concentrate in Leicester, otherwise he will continue to miss penalties, and added: "It is good that everything doesn't go smoothly, we are not made of diamonds, after all". To be excited and screw up once in a while happens, and it's human. To admit it - is sexy.
He's human. And it's cool and sexy (Guardian©)
9. He did it in Cold and Rainy Night in Stoke
"But can he do it in a cold and wet evening in Stoke?" This question / joke, became a British football folklore, mainly in response to the crazy statistics of Leo Messi. To score a brace against Betis and a hat-trick versus Bilbao is impressive, but you can't compare it to goals in frozen nights in Stoke, Swansea or West Bromwich. Rather cold and rainy night, Mahrez work his magic.
10. He's a Gentleman
Mahrez is a generous fellow who knows how to respect others. Although he is the regular penalty taker of Leicester, he let Vardy take a shot in order to compare Van Nistelrooy scoring sequence record. When the rumors connected him to the Premier League giants, Mahrez was quick to sign a contract at Leicester until 2019, and to declare openly: "My life is good here, and I have no reason to leave". In addition, he is not a model extrovert, does not uploads photographs with his wife, and his family does not become an item gossip. He still goes to the same barber he use to go when he was kid. A lovely 'down to earth' guy.
11. He's One of Our Own
Each one of us has at least one "Mahrez" among the football folks in the neighborhood. It could be that you are this "Mahrez" of your gang. He comes relaxed, giving a show, who everyone calls "a pro", and who is always smiling and kind towards everyone.
12. He's the Future
When money determines the rules, when the fans are treated as customers, with a small number of elite clubs in European football dominate unchallenged, and the Champions League begins to matter only in the semifinals, we need more 'Mahrez's. Those who will come out of nowhere, without any preparation or a media build up, keep it modest, spark the imagination, defeat the billionaires, and provide exciting seasons in small clubs. It's important, it's fun, it's hopeful, and there are the reason why we love this game.
A down to earth winner, who came from to nowhere to the main stage (PFA©)