Algeria boss Djamel Belmadi has claimed that Riyad Mahrez 'is not happy' at Manchester City.
The 29-year-old has been a regular for the Citizens since arriving from Leicester City in 2018, scoring 31 times and registering 31 assists in 119 appearances in all competitions.
This term, Mahrez has contributed six goals and three assists in 25 outings at club level, but the Algerian has largely struggled to hold down a regular spot, while he has played the full 90 minutes in just one of City's last 11 Premier League matches.
Belmadi has claimed that Mahrez is not pleased with his current situation at the Etihad Stadium as the attacker is "a fighter" who wants to play all of the time.
"Mahrez isn't happy in Manchester because he doesn't play often, and he's a fighter who wants to play all the games for his team," Belmadi told DZ Foot.
"I can't ask him to leave his club to play more in another, I'm not his agent, but the most important thing is for him to keep his fitness and to be ready for the next games of the national team. He's our captain. I understand the fear of the fans, but, in my view, he's got the ability to bounce back once again. I trust him."
Mahrez has a contract with Pep Guardiola's side until the summer of 2023.
Matt Law
