Riyadh Mahrez has arguably been a model of good behavior during this transfer window. The Algerian international handed in a transfer request to Leicester 12 weeks ago after indicating that the time was right for him to leave the club.
Despite this, he has continued to play for the Foxes and delivered a superb performance during the team’s 2-0 win against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday. Though the goals came from Harry Maguire and Shinji Okazaki, it was Mahrez who set them up.
In praise of Mahrez, defender Danny Simpson indicated after the game that he hopes to see his team-mate stay and said, “As soon as the whistle went you knew he was up for it.
“When he’s like that he’s unstoppable. He was unlucky in the second half, he had a little (Diego) Maradona moment, and got his assists. The goals will come. You want your best players at the club. Hopefully he stays with us.”
The performances proves that despite wanting to leave, Mahrez remains respectful of the club and supporters.
Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho and Southampton star Virgil van Dijk by contrast have behaved in a completely different manner. Both players wish to leave their clubs for Barcelona and Liverpool respectively and are refusing to play again in bids to force through moves.
