Mercurial Mahrez reaches crossroads

NOT many Premier League title winning seasons are followed by wholesale changes at a football club, but that is what appears to be happening at City this summer.

- JACK FLINTHAM

Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling - two key pillars of the City attack for much of Pep Guardiola's spell at the Etihad- look likely to be leaving the club for Premier League rivals. Jesus' move to Arsenal is all-but official while Sterling is being courted by Chelsea.

One player that Guardiola will be keen to keep hold of, however, is Riyad Mahrez. Yet the Algerian's position at the club is currently best described as precarious.

This week marks exactly one year until the 31-yearold is able to leave City on a free transfer should he wish to. As is well known, the final 12 months of a player's contract sees the power balance shift away from the club, to the player himself.