Riyad Mahrez has made a huge pitch for a more regular spot in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City team.
The Algeria international struggled to make a regular breakthrough last season as Bernardo Silva and Raheem Stering both played at a consistently high level.
But Mahrez wrapped up the Premier League title triumph with a brilliant and decisive goal at Brighton – and has started this season on fire.
He scored one and created another for Ilkay Gundogan as the Blues started their Champions League campaign with a 3-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk.
That took his recent record to seven goals or assists in his last seven Champions League appearances.
Those kind of stats have not escaped Guardiola, who last season expressed his sympathy for the winger, saying he would reach the same level as Bernardo and Sterling if he could get a string of games.
He has been regularly preferred to Bernardo this season, and seems to be first choice at the moment.
“Riyad last season played good but didn’t play many games - this time more regularly," said Guardiola.
“His performances are always top - how we helps us defending, very involved.
“With the quality he has, it’s overwhelming. We all know it. It’s a pleasure to watch him play football.”
