Nottingham Forest defender Renan Lodi has picked a Manchester City player as his toughest opponent in the Premier League this season.
The Reds signed the left-back on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid and he’s grown as the season has progressed.
Lodi has come up against Riyad Mahrez on two occasions this season and he’s a huge fan of the Algerian performer.
The Forest man has told ESPN Brasil, via Sport Witness, that he has been the hardest player to come up against during the 2022/23 campaign with City on course to win the Premier League title.
Mahrez is enjoying another fine season for the Citizens, scoring 15 goals and claiming 12 assists in Pep Guardiola’s team.
Forest were battered 6-0 by City in Lodi’s debut but the Reds did manage a 1-1 draw against them at the City Ground back in February.
Lodi told ESPN Brasil: “In my opinion, the hardest player I’ve marked was City’s Mahrez. He’s a player who is pulling things out of his hat at all times. You don’t know if you go quickly or if you wait for him to touch the ball more. If you move first, you get nutmegged, you get one-twoed.”
Forest star Lodi picks Mahrez as toughest opponent
It’s hardly a great surprise that Lodi has picked out the man with 81 caps for his country as the one he’s feared the most.
After all, this is a player that has been called ‘exceptional’ by City boss Guardiola.
Mahrez has been brilliant since signing for City, scoring 78 goals and claiming 58 assists from his 231 appearances for the club.
Lodi has grown as a Premier League player himself, however, with Forest fans warming to the left-back.
When he first arrived on Trentside, he did struggle a little bit but once settled he’s showcased his undeniable class to the fan base.
Forest do have an agreement to sign the player on a permanent basis but only if they remain in the Premier League this season.
At £25 million he’d probably represent a bit of a steal and hopefully, the Reds are in a position to re-sign him in the summer.