Riyad Mahrez admitted that he “didn’t make a difference as fast as they thought I was going to” opening up on his early fighting in Manchester City.
The 29-year-old admits that he fell short of the required standard during his first few months at the Etihad, but says that after a “difficult” settlement in time he gradually built up his confidence back up.
“I didn’t make a difference as fast as they thought I’d make,” Mahrez said to Sky Sports.
“So certainly they have no time to give me time because we’re 20 top players.”
“I was on the bench and the other players were playing, so I had a hard time coming back. Then, more to the end of the season I came back, I played well and I started this season differently.”
“I was performing now, when he played me, so the confidence is here.”
Mahrez and the majority of the City squad began full-contact practices at the start of the month ahead of the June 17 Premier League restart.
