Leicester City winger, Riyad Mahrez has heaped praises on manager, Claudio Ranieri, as the foxes continue what has been described as a fairy-tale season.
Leicester are currently five points clear of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, with 9 games to go, and have been tipped to win the English Premier League and are set to play in the UEFA Champions League, barring any unexpected change in fortune.
On a personal level, Mahrez shares a massive 34 goals and 15 assists with fellow teammate and star striker, Jamie Vardy.
Speaking with FIFA.com, the Algerian says of his manager: “I feel a great confidence in my skills from my coach.
“I like making a difference and taking risks, and I don’t feel constrained by him in that.”
He also spoke about the time he was still trying to find his feet in the team, having signed with them in January 2014.
“Deep down inside me, I knew I could do great,” Mahrez explained. “I already did well last year, but I was not a player who shone under pressure.
“I did not score enough or give enough assists. I have improved on that point and am more efficient now. It is due to my work but also to the team’s overall improvement. I feel great in this team, and I feel my team-mates trust me more.”
However, he said the major challenge his team is facing at the moment is that every other team in the league takes them more seriously than before, making every game a challenge.
“The other teams have changed their approach to us and to my way of playing to try to counter it,” Mahrez said. “For instance, the left-back often remains longer on the wing instead of going to the heart of the defence. Or sometimes, I have to deal with two players instead of just one. I have to be intelligent to adapt this new situation.”