Riyad Mahrez does not leave Manchester City, it's my fault, says Pep Guardiola | Football News

"I can not give him the minutes he deserves, so I'm sorry, his time is coming and I'm sure he'll play well."

Riyad Mahrez has not yet started in the Premier League for Manchester City this year

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admits that he is "sad" about Riyad Mahrez 'lack of playing time, but says the winger's form is not to blame.

Mahrez, who signed a record with £ 60 million last summer, had limited play time this season, not starting a Premier League match since winning in Southampton on Dec. 30.

The Algerian international impressed Guardiola by his attitude on the training ground, but the form of Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva simply prevented him from entering the group.

Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane have scored 20 goals in the league this season.

"I am the reason [he has not played]. He is absolutely not guilty, "said Guardiola.

"I'm sad because he's training incredibly – he's an incredibly talented player, but we currently have five forwards." In the last few games, Leroy has not played.

"We have incredible players, like Bernardo and Raz [Sterling] up, fit and that's the only reason. There is no particular reason, like being upset or something like that.

"He's a guy who's happy with us, but unfortunately I'm not nice to him, in fact, I can not give him the minutes he deserves, so I'm sorry, that's all I can say."

Mahrez has scored four of his nine goals outside the Premier League this season

Mahrez could be involved in the first leg of the FA Cup fifth round against Newport on Saturday, where the 27-year-old hopes to be able to add nine goals to his nine goals in all competitions of the season.

"It's not easy for a guy who does not play regularly to come in and play at a high level." Give him five or six games in a row playing and he'll play at the level of Sterling or Bernardo, or players who play, "added Guardiola.

"When he played four or five straight games, he was incredible, unbelievable, I do not doubt his quality, keep going, do not complain too much, go ahead and fight more and more."

"His time is coming and I'm sure he'll play well."

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