Leicester cannot retain EPL title – Mahrez

Riyad Mahrez, one of the stars of Leicester City’s unlikely Premier League title triumph last season, has  dismissed the Foxes chances of repeating their fairy tale success in the competition last season.

“We know very well that Leicester are not going to win the league again, that we are not one of the Manchester teams or Chelsea. But if we can establish ourselves as a solid Premier League team that would count as a success,” said Mahrez.

Mahrez, who has also been linked with Barcelona, said that he saw no prospect of Leicester reclaiming their title this season.
Leicester began their defence of the title with a disappointing 2-1 defeat away to Hull City last weekend.

The Algerian international also hinted that only “two or three” clubs could tempt him to leave the English champions.

Mahrez, who was named player of the year in England by his fellow professionals last season after playing a crucial role in Claudio Ranieri’s side’s success, has been linked with a big-money move away in the summer.

Arsenal, who travel to Leicester this weekend, have been credited with a strong interest in Mahrez but the Foxes are desperate to keep hold of the player.

And the 25-year-old indicated that, while he is happy in England, only one of the continent’s very biggest clubs could persuade him to leave the King Power Stadium.

“It’s a great league and I’d like to stay as long as possible,” Mahrez, who was born and raised just outside Paris, said in an interview with France Football magazine.

“But there are two or three clubs in the world who, if they come looking for you, it will obviously make you think, if you get what I’m saying.”

AFP