Riyad Mahrez outlines simple changes to become Man City's unexpected 20-goal forward

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City didn't have a player who could score 20 goals a season after failing to sign a striker last summer. Now, he has been proven emphatically wrong thanks to a sensational season from Riyad Mahrez.

The Algerian has improved year-on-year for City, and was the scorer of some vitally important goals last season, especially in the Champions League. This term, he has taken the goalscoring responsibility on in the absence of a natural striker and has 21 goals and seven assists from 34 appearances.

Mahrez only scored 14 times last season and is already enjoying the best goalscoring campaign of his career. The 31-year-old puts his career-best numbers down to a determined mentality coupled with some simple tactical changes.

ALSO READ:How Man City will react if Liverpool FC lose a game in Premier League title race

Explaining the reasons behind his good form, Mahrez said it started in pre-season with a target to surpass last season's record.

"When every season starts, I'm like I have to score more than last year," he told City TV.

"Last year I scored 14 overall so, in my head, I thought I've got to score more overall. It's more experience. I've improved in front of goal, I've improved my runs. Arrived more in the box.

"It's the way we play as well, it's a bit of everything. That's good, that's what we want. I have a better taste, we have to have pressure. I wouldn't be good if I didn't have pressure.

"Sometimes is more about being there, I work more on the runs in behind, closing the back post, being on the six yards. The more you're there and doing it, the more you have chance to score."

Sign up to our City newsletter so you never miss an update from the Etihad Stadium this season.

Catch