When it comes to transfers and contract negotiations, Manchester City have principles from which they very rarely stray.
Generally speaking, City won't offer above their valuation of a potential signing — see Harry Maguire, Jorginho and Frenkie de Jong — while players who want to leave are free to do so, provided they attract a suitable offer.
Sticking to guidelines like these ensures that City are responsible with their spending and don't waste resources, while also keeping a healthy dressing room environment for Pep Guardiola and his players to work with. However, there is one general rule that City have recently broken — and for good reason.
READ MORE: Txiki Begiristain makes claim as Riyad Mahrez signs new Man City contract
On Friday Riyad Mahrez penned a two-year contract extension at City. The Algerian winger had entered the final 12 months of his previous deal, but has agreed to fresh terms to commit his future at the club until 2025.
Given that Mahrez was City's top scorer last season with 24 goals in all competitions, while also matching Kevin de Bruyne's tally of 33 direct goal contributions, perhaps it's not surprising that City were keen to tie the attacker down to new terms. However, the fact that Mahrez turned 31 in February does make this unusual. With the obvious exception of Fernandinho, City tend not to hand out new contracts to players who are the wrong side of 30 and whose deals are close to expiring.
The rule of thumb is that once players pass 32 they start to slow down, so they aren't able to deal with the physical demands placed on them by Guardiola's system. Pep's City can't afford to carry any passengers.
Clearly though there are exceptions. Fernandinho was clearly past his best when he signed a one-year extension in 2021, but Guardiola saw the value in keeping him around as a squad player and a leader in the dressing room.
Kyle Walker is already 32, but his incredible athletic ability means he will likely be able to cope with the demands of Guardiola football until at least the end of his current contract in 2024.
In Mahrez's case, the decision to keep him around was an easy one. An attacker who doesn't have to do the running of a midfielder or rely on muscle, the 31-year-old has shown no signs of losing his pace. Perhaps most importantly, his brilliant technique and control of the ball is as good as ever.
Over the past couple of seasons Mahrez has emerged as a man for the big moments, likely another reason for City keeping him around. In the 2021 Champions League semi-finals he almost single-handedly saw off Paris Saint-Germain, while his strike at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid this season — a something-from-nothing goal — would have put City into the final were it not for Madrid's remarkable comeback.
Last season Mahrez assumed penalty taking duties, bringing an end to a problem that had bugged Guardiola for the best part of three seasons. While he did miss a potentially decisive kick against West Ham in the penultimate game of the season, that was only the second spot-kick he'd missed for City, three-and-a-half years after the first.
With City's right wing options somewhat depleted following the departures of Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus, City will be delighted that Mahrez has agreed to extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium.
With a host of younger players like Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer and Julian Alavarez arriving this summer, Mahrez — now four years a blue — could could even assume more of a leadership role.
Whether it be for his on-field quality, experience or reliability, one thing is for certain: Mahrez is totally deserving of his new contract.
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