Skip to content

Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy and Danny Drinkwater will be wanted in January, says Paul Merson

Jamie Vardy Riyad Mahrez Danny Drinkwater
Image: Paul Merson feels Leicester will face a battle to keep their stars

Leicester trio Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy and Danny Drinkwater will be wanted men in the January transfer window, says Paul Merson, who also fears the Foxes will not finish in the top six come the end of the season.

Claudio Ranieri's side are top of the Premier League following their 3-0 win at Swansea on Saturday, and have lost just once this season.

Algerian midfielder Mahrez scored a hat-trick in south Wales, while Vardy's 11-game scoring run came to an end at the Liberty Stadium - the pair now have 24 of Leicester's 32 Premier League goals this season

Mahrez treble sends Foxes top
Mahrez treble sends Foxes top

A Riyad Mahrez hat-trick sent Leicester back to the top of the Premier League as they beat Swansea

Former Manchester United midfielder Drinkwater, 25, has also performed superbly this season, and Soccer Saturday pundit Merson sees all three being closely monitored by clubs in the upcoming window.

Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his third goal during the English Premier League football match between Swansea City and Leicester City
Image: Mahrez scored a hat-trick at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, and has 11 goals this season

"Mahrez won't be having a little career if he plays like that every week. The problem will be January because this lad's going to be wanted. 

Leicester player Riyad Mahrez celebrates with Danny Drinkwater (L) after scoring the first goal against Swansea
Image: Riyad Mahrez celebrates with Danny Drinkwater (left) after scoring the first goal against Swansea

"Vardy's going to be wanted. Drinkwater is a very good player. It wouldn't surprise me if somebody came and bought him. There aren't too many better centre midfield players at the moment than him. 

"Ranieri played a 4-4-2 so he's not playing in a midfield three where you get loads of people working and loads of bodies. There's just him and Kante in the middle."

Also See:

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy kicks the advertising boards in frustration after missing a chance
Image: Jamie Vardy kicks the advertising boards in frustration after missing a chance

Asked if Leicester will finish in the top six, Merson added: "I don't think so. There's a long way to go but at the moment they are impressive."

On the receiving end of another Leicester win were Swansea, whose manager Garry Monk has come under pressure in recent months despite leading them to an eighth-place finish last term.

But Merson hopes to see Monk continue in his role, insisting the club must stick with the Englishman through difficult periods for him to grow as a manger. 

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17:  Claudio Ranieri Manager of Leicester City looks on prior to the match between Southampton and Leicester City
Image: Ranieri's Leicester are top of the league after 15 games gone

"I feel sorry for him. They started badly. I don't like seeing managers getting the sack. I think experienced managers only become experienced by working through bad times in their managerial career. 

"Garry Monk's got one at the moment and hopefully he'll be given time to work through it because last year he was a good manager so you don't become a bad manager overnight. Players lose form but hopefully he's in a job next week."

Garry Monk says it is time for the Euro 2016 qualifiers to turn their full attention to Swansea
Image: Garry Monk's Swansea have won just once in 12 games in all competitions

Around Sky