After Riyad Mahrez lit up the Premier League this season with Leicester City, praise has come in from all corners of England and Europe. And one such player who has watched him play is none other than Barcelona legend Xavi.
The Catalan midfielder who spent 17 seasons with the senior team at the Camp Nou club admitted he had never heard of him before this season but the Algerian midfielder has caught the eye of everyone this season.
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Mahrez has scored 16 goals and made 11 assists in the Premier League this season, leading the Foxes to the top of the table under Claudio Ranieri. His season numbers make him a firm favourite to take home the PFA Player of the Year award for 2015/16.
His performances have not gone unnoticed with a number of clubs linked to the 25-year-old. Predominantly a right-sided midfielder, he can play across midfield – a valuable asset to any top club.
Mahrez could play for Barcelona: Xavi
Xavi, now playing in Qatar with Al Sadd, was of the opinion that Mahrez would fit in at any big European club.
“He is a very good player,” Xavi said, according to Al Araby Al Jadeed. “He suddenly came to my attention this season.
“I didn’t know about him before, but this season he has blown up.”
“He has made a name for himself among the top names in the English league and played exceptionally well. Thanks to what he has done for his club, he can now play for any big club in Europe.”
When asked if Mahrez could play for Barcelona in the future, Xavi said: “Yeah, why not? He could play for Barcelona in the future.
“He is talented, but that is not in my hands these days.”
Arsenal linked with Mahrez
Reports last month claimed Arsenal would be targeting Mahrez in the summer transfer window. The north London club have already signed Leicester City’s head scout Ben Wrigglesworth.
And Ranieri had admitted that he would not stand in his players’ way if they sought a move to another club.
“We want to keep all our players,” Ranieri had said. “We believe in them. But if a player comes to me and says: ‘Boss, I want to go there because it's my ambition to go there,’ I’ll say: ‘Go and enjoy and have good luck’.
“I want only players who are happy to stay here because, sooner or later, we grow up a lot. Of course, not like Barcelona or Real Madrid, but Leicester will be a very good team.”
