Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri is seriously contemplating taking star winger Riyad Mahrez out of the firing line in a bid to help last season’s PFA Player of the Season rediscover his best form, writes The Daily Telegraph.
Mahrez, 25, has struggled to reproduce anywhere near the dazzling form that helped the Foxes win the Premier League last season and his performances are starting to worry Ranieri.
The Algeria international opted against a big money move to Arsenal during the summer to sign a new four-year deal in August, but it hasn’t gone to plan this season and a time away from the pitch is now being thought as the key to get Mahrez’s edge back.
Mahrez is set to play in Leicester’s midweek encounter with Club Bruges in the Champions League, a competition he has thrived in this season, but Ranieri could drop the tricky winger for their home match against Middlesbrough at the weekend.
He has only scored two goals and registered one assist in 12 Premier League appearances this season, having managed seven goals and six assists during the same period last term. His WhoScored rating in first 12 matches has dropped from 8.25 to 6.72 this season.
For more stats on Riyad Mahrez, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
