Riyad Mahrez denies refusing to play for Leicester City after Manchester City transfer fell through
Riyad Mahrez has defended his recent conduct, by insisting he never refused to play or train for Leicester City.
The Algeria international had been absent from training since the end of the transfer window, with reports claiming Mahrez was trying to force a deadline day move to Manchester City
Leicester though refused to sell Mahrez to City and the transfer window closed last week, but the attacker did not return to training.
More: Football
Mahrez was back in training on Friday for the first time this month and has angrily hit out at reports claiming he was refusing to play for the Foxes after a the switch to City fell through.
A statement read: ‘Over the past ten days, many people claiming to be my friend have spoken about me and things they know nothing about.
Manchester City 2017/18 Fixtures
Leicester City (H) – Sat Feb 10
FC Basel (A) – Tues Feb 13 (Champions League)
Arsenal (N) – Sun Feb 25 (EFL Cup)
Arsenal (A) – Thurs March 1
Chelsea (H) – Sun March 4
FC Basel (H) – Wed March 7 (Champions League)
‘Off the back of that many people and journalists have made assumptions without properly checking the story, so I would like to clarify that all those so-called assumptions of why I was absent are completely untrue.
‘Myself nor my advisers have ever made any statements about that, so all presumptions made are totally without foundation.
‘Leicester City were always aware of my whereabouts and had knowledge of my thinking either directly or via my advisers.
‘I have been a part of the Leicester City team that has achieved much success including promotion to the Premier League and being champions of the League.
‘Myself nor my advisers have ever made any statements about that, so all presumptions made are totally without foundation.
‘Leicester City were always aware of my whereabouts and had knowledge of my thinking either directly or via my advisers.
‘I have been a part of the Leicester City team that has achieved much success including promotion to the Premier League and being champions of the League.’
Leicester travel to Manchester on Saturday to take on the Premier League leaders and Mahrez is thought to be available for selection.
However, Claude Puel has already suggested Mahrez is unlikely to play against the side that prompted him to hand in a transfer request last month.
More: Arsenal FC
[contf]
[contfnew]
METRO
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
