Riyad Mahrez reveals why Pep Guardiola wouldn't start him | OneFootball

Manchester City midfielder Riyad Mahrez admits he suffered a difficult start under Pep Guardiola due to reservations over his work rate.

City broke their then-transfer record to sign Mahrez (£60m) from Leicester, but used him sparingly as they pursued a second successive Premier League title.

But the 28-year-old now understands that it was simply a matter of adapting to what the club and Guardiola needed from him.

“His concern was about my work-rate first, because at Leicester it was more of a team rate where we were trying to counter,” he told Mirror Football.

“Whereas at City it’s more about pressing and a very high effort and intensity. It’s taken some time to have it myself, but I think now it’s good.

“I didn’t think I needed to adapt until I came here and started training, but I’ve definitely changed as a player and improved.”

City host domestic strugglers Southampton in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.