We’re in that lull between a major tournament and the start of the new season, and that means football fans will put a lot of stock in even the smallest announcement.
Whether it’s a fringe player impressing in preseason (guys, Victor Moses always does this – how do you have such short memories?) or a first teamer sitting out an overseas tour, there’s nothing like non-competitive action to throw those straws right within clutching distance.
Today it’s the turn of Riyad Mahrez to enjoy his moment in the limelight.
The Leicester City playmaker was one of the stars of his club’s Premier League title win, and has been linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including a certain North London outfit.
Naturally, that meant people (read: Arsenal fans) suddenly cared *a lot* about the Foxes’ International Champions Cup meeting with Celtic in Glasgow.
If Mahrez is not in the Leicester squad later then I might start to believe he could join us but before then I'm not falling for it😅
— James (@scarbs11) July 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/MajesticMesut11/status/756862558708129792
So, will we have to sit through days or weeks of transfer talk off the back of a meaningful omission from the starting XI?
In short, no.
Today's starting XI #ICC2016 pic.twitter.com/PdrHpvgSSN
— Leicester City (@LCFC) July 23, 2016
Will the discussions end just because he’s on the pitch for kick-off?
Also no.
I remember seeing nasri play live in the Emirates cup and thinking he wouldnt leave. Mahrez playing means nothing
— SAMbi COYG (@GadgetAFC) July 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/acjdevine/status/756883211150561280
https://twitter.com/DasAngreifer/status/756874450570739712
https://twitter.com/RealEddieHolt/status/756881418777681920
So much for any hope of drawing a line under this one.
