Manchester City Already Have Mahrez’s Replacement Lined Up

Manchester City have reportedly identified Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise as a potential option to replace Riyad Mahrez, who has sealed his move to Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli.

The Sky Blues have signed Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea and are in talks with RB Leipzig for defender Josko Gvardiol. Now, the treble winners are in the market for a right-winger following the unexpected departure of Riyad Mahrez to Saudi Arabia.

According to The Athletic, Manchester City are considering a formal approach for Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise.

Olise, 21, is set to miss the start of the upcoming season after sustaining a hamstring injury playing for France Under‑21s but that hasn’t stopped Man City manager Pep Guardiola from targeting him. The forward was voted Palace’s Players’ Player of the Year after enjoying an excellent 2022/23 campaign during which he recorded two goals and 11 assists in 37 Premier League appearances.

The report adds Guardiola’s City are facing competition from Chelsea for Olise, who arrived at Selhurst Park from Reading in 2021 for £8m.

Michael Olise to Manchester City—Good option to replace Riyad Mahrez?

Michael Olise has attracted interest from Man City and Chelsea during the summer transfer window following an impressive 2022/23 campaign with Palace. With his 11 assists and two goals, the 21-year-old led the Eagles to safety in the top flight alongside Eberechi Eze and Wilfried Zaha, who moved to Galatasaray on a free transfer after his contract expired in the summer.

In Pep Guardiola, City have one of the finest tacticians of the generation at the helm, and the Spaniard should be able to get the best out of Olise. The France Under-21 international is around the same age when Raheem Sterling joined City from Liverpool and can take inspiration from the fact that the English forward went on to achieve great things under the watchful eyes of Guardiola, taking his game to the next level.

Riyad Mahrez’s move to Saudi club Al Ahli has seemingly caught the City boss by surprise. The Algeria international was among the club’s best players in recent seasons, playing a key role in the Sky Blues’ treble triumph. He more often than not proved the difference-maker off the bench and scored several vital goals for Guardiola’s side. With Mahrez gone, Guardiola is on the hunt for a player to replace him and looks to have set his sights on Olise.

Primarily a right-winger, Olise can also play on the opposite flank, through the middle as a No.10 or as an advanced central midfielder, and he would add pace, flair and invention to City’s attack. Technically gifted, creative and a solid dribbler, the Frenchman has demonstrated at Palace that he can make a difference in the final third and also find the back of the net. However, he is still raw at certain aspects of the game that can be improved by Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.

Having failed to make the grade at City after being on their books for a year, Olise would be determined to prove himself at the Etihad Stadium if the treble winners make a move for him this summer. All in all, the 21-year-old has the raw potential to be Mahrez’s replacement at City.