Pep Guardiola says Riyad Mahrez is not yet functioning at the high level he reached last season.
The Manchester City ace is on the brink of matching Sergio Aguero's club record of scoring in eight consecutive games, as the Blues prepare to face struggling Norwich at Carrow Road tomorrow.
Mahrez scored from the penalty spot in the 2-0 win over Brentford after also netting from the spot against Fulham last weekend, and is out on his own as the club's top scorer this season with 16 - the only player in double figures.
But Guardiola said that the 30-year-old has yet to reach the heights he touched last season, when he was a key figure in the march to the club's first Champions League final, and a cruise to a third Premier League crown in four years.
Asked if the current goalscoring run marked peak Mahrez, Guardiola said: "No, last season was the best moment I found Riyad. He can do better this season to find the level of the last four, five, six months last season. He can do that."
But the manager was not putting down Mahrez's performances so far this season, and extolled his virtues when asked to expand: "The quality of his finishing, the personality in the area, when it’s close, his technique, legs are not strong, but his feet It’s his technique and quality."
City go to Norwich nine points clear at the top but with closest rivals Liverpool having a game in hand - and as the Merseysiders face a trip to Burnley on Sunday, they have the opportunity to stretch their lead once again.
