Riyadh Mareza still dares to talk about the title of Leicester
Riyadh Mareza still dares to talk about the title of Leicester
Tears streaming down the cheeks of a skinny 18-year-old boy after coach said heavy word. Young Riyadh Mareza not expected. Shocked is that after having come all the way here, hundreds of miles from home, sees his dream of becoming a footballer is about to fly away. So in 2009 Campers - team from the fourth level of French football, dismisses the future star of the Premier League.
In fact, the manager Ronan salon - a former professional footballer, sees something special in style wing, but never managed to convince the club to offer him a dream contract worth 750 euros per month. A few months later Mareza again appears samples and was elected as the only new addition to the team.
"Yet without a contract. They kept me month to month, "recalls Algerian national who is now 25 years old and plays for the leader in England Leicester. First send the player to play in the B-team, which is in seventh level of France.
"It was a street player is taught football in the neighborhood. It was both an advantage and disadvantage. It was an excellent dribbler, knew how to play with both feet, but had no idea of tactics says coach Mikael pellets. In the team are concerned by his weak constitution. Mareza itself this is not a problem.
"I used to play with older boys. When I was 15-16, played by 20-year-olds was 25 years old. It helped me - he admits. - I used to struggle low expectations. I relied only on themselves. They said no deal, and then came the match and I played well and they understood that they were doing. The game in the neighborhood helped me a lot. Then I never imagined that really will become a footballer. "
Mareza was born in the north of Paris. His father is Algerian and a Moroccan mother. "Actually it's a very nice neighborhood. Everybody knows. My first memories were my father took me to the local football club. I was 6 and I was the happiest kid in the world, "recalls Mareza. His father Ahmed, however, died of a heart attack when Riyadh is 15. He is the only football hero to his son - played in small clubs in Algeria and France.
"I was very sad. I was young and living with a single parent is difficult. But I think those years have made me stronger and helped me as a footballer. My father really wanted to become a professional, and I was loaded with huge ambition "- tells Riyadh. Recently issued a video which he as early as 17 years, showed amazing technique with the ball. "Other children, however, do not worry, I'm more technical. Just kicked me on the knuckles. "
"His technique helped them escape, but otherwise it was very difficult. Between 12 and 16 years of age he developed more slowly and it was so small. There was no chance in the physical confrontations, "he said then his coach Mohammed Coulibaly. Even now Mareza seem small, but his legs are like sticks, but his self-confidence and ambition are huge. He often summoned his friends and play with them until 4:00 at night.
In season 2009/10 Kemper relegated to the fifth level, but the contribution of Mareza not go unnoticed. Le Havre attracts the player who scored 13 goals in the second team before being pulled in the first to play in Ligue 2. In 2012, Le Havre play control with Leicester and England team looking wing. Not even think about puny kid - are invited to watch the 22-year-old then Ryan Mendez, who only came this year in the UK - rent in Nottingham from Lille. The French lost 1: 2 and then 21-year-old Mareza was substituted 73 minutes, but his play caught the eye of English scouts.
"Riyadh was seemingly uncouth, but there was a great touch - tells Scout Steve Walsh. - He can hide the ball and pass through several people. I liked his positive attitude towards the game. Some of his actions on the field were not tactically justified and in the defense plan was not level, but his talent was clearly visible. "
Walsh looked at him twice, and then recommend to the chief scout David Mills Lester - man led Chelsea Gianfranco Zola, Didier Drogba and Michael Essien. He also heads to France to see the young striker. In 2014, foxes already see the promotion for the Premier League and decided to strengthen its composition with Mareza. Buy it for 450,000 pounds, which is considered a risk - like previous transfers of players. The advantage is the low price of the player as one of the elite French teams not interested in him.
"There were some inquiries, but no offers" - admitted Mareza. For him transfer to England is just as big a risk as for his new team. "I knew nothing about Leicester. France does not monitor Championship. I thought it was rugby team. Even if I was not willing to accept the transfer, but when I arrived and saw the training facilities was fully convinced that it is a big club. I've never regretted my decision to come here because this is the best club in which I was. "
What follows is known. Mareza helps foxes to win the Championship in season 2013/14 and this season shines with incredible expedition team to first place in the Premier League. "Our season is fantastic. Not only for me but for the whole team. This is the greatest season in the history of Leicester and we must continue in the same spirit. We have the necessary qualities and we know that we can handle. In football, when you start to win, everything becomes easier, "he says. Lester could be the sensation of the Premier League, but Mareza is the sensation of Leicester. Throughout the season he shows how easy it can do funny advocates world-class.
"Everybody ask me how all of a sudden I started to do it. I probably already am gaining experience and confidence. When you step out on the field, I want to have fun, to enjoy the game. But when you play in the top four of the Premier League, you have to think for the team, for the result. You can not only think about themselves, "says Mareza. The previous manager Nigel Pearson managed to turn it into a team player and current Claudio Ranieri to set foot on what already allows the wing to entertain.
"He keeps to round out the compact structure of the team, when the opponent possession of the ball. But when I get it, I can do whatever I want - recognized Mareza. - Ranieri is great off the field, but if you do not give out your workouts is not at all nice. It makes us run a lot, but maybe that's why we're first in the standings. If so, no problem to run as they should. "
Key to rise of Lester's partnership with Jamie Mareza Vardi. Spectacular through ball Riyadh and powerful stroke of the ram behind goalkeeper Simon Mignolet Liverpool synthesize the entire season on the team.
"Everyone knows the game of the other. I know exactly where and how to find it. We play together for two and a half years and it becomes very easy. We do not compete with each other. If Jamie had scored, it's great, if I scored - also "admits Riyadh. He understood perfectly and N'Golo Cante, who also grew up in the suburbs of Paris and entered relatively late in big football after several years of low levels of France.
"I remember him. Even then, I thought that was a good player, but really did not think it was that good - says Riyadh. - Maybe we just are not so worn as a player who started in Leicester for 14 years and has trained scheduled every day. We come from nowhere and for us it is easier. Maybe this time helps some players. Definitely the case for me and also for N'Golo and Vardi. "
Mareza already dreaming of the next stage of his career - the Champions League.
"I just want Lester to enter in groups and play good football. I still do not think I can win the title. But actually I say this because I think while talking as if we will be first. Really dream of the Champions League, but for now all looking match to match, "said Mareza. It largely is still that boy who just wants to become a footballer to make his father proud and boast to others in the neighborhood, that one day I will play in Barcelona. And could one day make it. But one thing is clear - even still there are people who doubt that Leicester can become the champion of England, no one doubts that Riyadh Mareza will become a footballer.
THIS IS HIM
Riyadh Mareza
Born February 21, 1991 in Sarcelles, France
High: 178 cm
Position: Wing
CAREER
Season Club M D
2009-10 Campers 27 1
2010-13 Le Havre II 60 24
2011-14 Le Havre 60 6
Leicester 81 23 2014
For the national team of Algeria has 24 games and 4 goals since his debut in 2014
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