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Mahrez
Chris Burton

'Guardiola will make £60m Mahrez even better' - Man City's record signing excites Bellamy

Manchester City
Premier League
Transfers
African All Stars

The former Blues forward believes the Premier League champions have carried out shrewd business in acquiring a proven performer from Leicester

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Riyad Mahrez has been backed by Craig Bellamy to see his game taken to even greater heights under the guidance of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

The Algeria international, who had been pushing for a move away from Leicester for some time, has completed a record-breaking £60 million ($78m) switch to the Etihad Stadium.

He is now the costliest player in City’s history, with the Premier League champions prepared to invest considerable faith in the 27-year-old’s talents.

Mahrez is a title winner in England and former PFA Player of the Year, with his creativity earning plenty of plaudits, and Bellamy believes a big-money transfer will prove beneficial to all concerned.

The former City striker told the Daily Star:  “He’s been a top player, he’s done a great job at Leicester.

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“It’s a great time for him to move on. He’s just another option.

“I know it’s difficult obviously because of the money that they’ve spent but it was going to take that type of money to get him out of there.

“These players, attacking-wise, are costing that kind of money now. He just adds another dimension to what is already a fierce attack.

“But I’m just interested because I believe Guardiola is the best coach in the world at this present moment.

Pep Guardiola Man City 2017-18Getty Images

“I think he’s been the best coach in the world over the last six, seven, eight years.

“I’m interested to see how he improves Mahrez. The best thing with Guardiola, he improves players, he makes them better.

“Can he get Mahrez another level again? And if he can, that’s exciting for Man City.”

Mahrez netted 48 times in 179 appearances for Leicester, with his most productive campaign proving to be a Premier League title-winning one in 2015-16 – when he scored 18 times.

He found the target on 13 occasions across all competitions last season, while providing 10 assists in his top-flight outings.

That skill set will now be put to good use by City alongside the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane.

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