{"remix_data":[],"remix_entry_point":"challenges","source_tags":[],"origin":"unknown","total_draw_time":0,"total_draw_actions":0,"layers_used":0,"brushes_used":0,"photos_added":0,"total_editor_actions":{},"tools_used":{},"is_sticker":false,"edited_since_last_sticker_save":false,"containsFTESticker":false}
“I joined Man City from Leicester, how a Blocked Move from Leicester to Man City cost me two Vital years of my career”- Former Leicester City Ace Riyad Mahrez REVEALED how him move was blocked by Leicester to Man City in the summer of 2018.
Riyad Mahrez will see two of his former clubs face off this Sunday when Manchester City visit the King Power Stadium to play Leicester City.
The Algerian winger played a pivotal role in helping Leicester gain promotion to the Premier League after joining them from France in January 2014. He then played a key part in their survival and later contributed to their surprising title win in 2016.
Mahrez remained at Leicester for two more seasons before transferring to Manchester City in the summer of 2018 for £60 million. However, he has previously revealed that a move to a different club could have happened earlier if Leicester hadn’t blocked it.
In a 2019 interview with *France Football* while at City, Mahrez said: “After the title win, if I’d moved to a top team, the story would have been different. I clearly lost two years at the highest level. Instead of joining City at 27, I could have been there at 24 or 25.”
He explained that Leicester had blocked his transfer, stating, “They told me: ‘You’re not leaving, you’re not leaving.’ My agent had spoken to Arsène Wenger, who was very interested in me. A deal with Arsenal in 2016 was nearly done, and I was extremely frustrated.”
Mahrez admitted it was difficult to transition from being the Premier League’s best player to fighting against relegation with a struggling team, noting, “It’s not the same job. Everyone is waiting for you to fail.”
After five seasons at City, Mahrez helped the club win four Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2023. He left the club the following summer, moving to Saudi Arabia to join Al-Ahli.
