Riyad Mahrez’s Early Season Struggles and Potential Comeback: Can He Recapture His 2023-24 Form?
Riyad Mahrez was Al Ahli’s star player last season when he arrived at the Saudi Pro League club. The former Manchester City winger finished the 2023-24 season with the most assists in the SPL (13) and also scored 11 goals as Al Ahli finished third on the table. However, things have not been easy this season, and Mahrez is yet to score or assist in the league after six matches.
Al Ahli’s stellar performances last season were largely due to Mahrez’s efforts. The expectation, with Ivan Toney joining him, was that the former English Premier League players could combine to devastating effect, and raise Al Ahli’s prospects this season.
However, things have not gone to plan, and they currently languish in 10th place, having won twice, drawn once, and lost thrice in their opening six fixtures. Additionally, Al Ahli suffered a 1-2 King’s Cup home defeat against Al Jandal, a team languishing at the bottom of the second tier.
Questions have been raised about Mahrez’s fitness, with some commentators noting that his movements seem sluggish. In the aftermath of the 4-2 victory against Damac in September, Mahrez posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account saying, “Good result for the team tonight and very happy for us, but on my side, it’s been hard for the past 2 games, I’m sick with bronchitis and need to rest a bit before finding my best level and make you proud again. We are together.”
However, there is some hope that Mahrez will pick up where he left off last season after the international break. In the 0-2 away victory in the AFC Champions League contest against Al Wasl, Mahrez scored once and assisted the other goal. This was his best game of the season, and the club hopes it is a sign that the health and fitness issues that plagued his form are behind him.
