Manchester City Star Leaves For Al Ahli in £30M Deal: Can Guardiola Find A Decent Replacement? | OneFootball

According to a report from Sky Sport, after a five-year spell at Manchester City, Riyad Mahrez has made a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli in a £30m deal. The treble winners have already experienced the departure of Ilkay Gundogan this summer, while the futures of Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva remain uncertain.

Mahrez, the 32-year-old Algeria international winger, was permitted to skip City’s pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea to finalize the move. He has completed the transfer and signed a three-year contract with Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League.

Once again, Riyad Mahrez displayed his exceptional talent at the Etihad Stadium, consistently impressing as he operated from the right flank under Pep Guardiola’s guidance. Hailing from France, the gifted winger made a significant impact, contributing 15 goals and providing 12 assists in 44 appearances for Manchester City across all competitions during the season.

One of Mahrez’s key attributes in the attacking third was his remarkable consistency, evident from his average of 1.4 shots, 1.7 key passes, and 0.8 successful dribbles per 90 minutes in the Premier League. Additionally, his distribution in the opponent’s half was exemplary, boasting an 86.8% pass success rate in league matches, according to Whoscored statistics. Mahrez’s performances proved invaluable to Manchester City’s success throughout the season.

Manchester City’s Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez celebrates scoring the team’s second goal during the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Manchester City and Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium in northwest London on April 22, 2023. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester City’s Loss of Riyad Mahrez to Saudi Arabia Poses a Significant Challenge

The departure of Riyad Mahrez to Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly a major blow to Manchester City. Mahrez played a crucial role as a creative force in the team, showcasing his exceptional ability to dribble past defenders and create scoring opportunities, which was a valuable asset for the club.

Mahrez’s exit leaves a void in City’s attack. While the club still possesses talented wingers like Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, and Julian Alvarez, who can adapt to the role, Mahrez brought a unique skill set to the team. His natural goalscoring ability and proficiency in passing and dribbling allowed him to effectively create chances for his teammates.

Guardiola will now face the challenge of finding a suitable replacement for Mahrez during this summer transfer window. The club has been linked with several players, but finding someone who can replicate Mahrez’s impact on the team will be difficult.

The Etihad Club has been unable to sign a big-name forward this summer, and they will need to find a way to replace Mahrez’s goals if they want to challenge for the Champions League title. Finding a decent replacement for Mahrez will be a challenge for Guardiola, but it is essential for City to maintain their status as one of the best teams in Europe.