On Sunday night Riyad Mahrez scored a sublime goal as his Algeria side crushed Guinea, 3-0, to reach the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mahrez’s goal was an example of just how good he can be – as he collected a cross by Ismael Bennacer and touched the ball past the left back and in the same movement lashed the ball into the far corner.
Algeria will now face either Mali or the Ivory Coast – so far, they have not conceded a goal and now that, hosts, Eqypt are out they will fancy their chances of winning.
Mahrez, who is the captain, has been crucial to their performances so far scoring two and reminding the football world what he is capable of – something he has not really shown since he joined Manchester City last summer for £60m.
The Algerian wizard is now 28 and, therefore, should be at the peak of his powers, but he can hardly show that while sitting on the bench at the Etihad – last season he made 44 appearances but only started 24 times.
Mahrez proved in his time at Leicester that he was one of the best right wingers in the world, cutting onto his favoured left foot he was almost unstoppable at times – scoring a staggering 48 goals for the Foxes.
A lack of consistent starts, though, has clearly affected his game and even when he has played for City, he has not looked like the same player who was so good when Leicester won the league in 2016.
Midway through the season reports emerged that Mahrez was unhappy at his lack of playing time and should there be significant interest he may well move on.
It would certainly be the best thing for his career if he were to leave City because Mahrez is probably not going to get the playing time that he deserves, but a move to any other side in the league or one of Europe’s top divisions would see the 28-year-old get the adulation and game time that he needs.
He has a decision to make, does he want to watch his career stagnate from the bench or move on and potentially regain his Leicester form.