Riyad Mahrez has warned Manchester City’s rivals that the Blues are raring to go again after a fortnight’s break to recharge their batteries.
City resume their attempts to win on three fronts when they take on Championship leaders Fulham in the FA Cup fourth round tomorrow.
And with Premier League games against Brentford, Norwich, Spurs and Everton lined up for February, plus the first leg of the Champions League last 16 tie with Sporting Lisbon, Pep Guardiola ’s team will be at full throttle for the next three weeks.
Apart from Brazil pair Ederson and Gabriel Jesus, who went away on World Cup qualifying duty, the entire squad has had a full two weeks without a game, and most of them flew off to sunshine destinations to get a well-earned break from the English winter and a full-on December and January schedule.
They returned to training on Monday to begin preparing for the Fulham game, which will be played in front of a sell-out Etihad Stadium crowd after the club lowered ticket prices.
And Mahrez, who got an unexpected break as Algeria slumped out of the African Nations Cup at the group stage after starting the tournament as holders and favourites, says that the break has been a huge boost.
“It came at the right time,” said the winger, who was named City’s player of the month for December after scoring four goals to help the Blues win all seven of their league games in the month.
With Brentford also due at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, the 30-year-old star said that the signs have been good as the players returned to train with a new spring in their step.
“We are refreshed now, fresh to re-start with a lot of energy and a good mood, so it’s good.”
