Leicester City player talks about Vardy and Mahrez’s Ballon d’Or nominations, says striker “will soon return to the top”

Leicester City defender Yohan Benalouane has given an interview to Tutto Mercato Web Radio this Tuesday. Most of the talk was explaining the club’s form, as the Foxes are having an impressive run in the Champions League (with nine points in three games) but keep struggling in the Premier League.

Asked about Jamie Vardy’s form, Benalouane avoided criticising his teammate and, instead, backed him to regain last season’s heights: “He’s fine, although it’s useless to hide that the timing is not the best. But we must not underestimate the work he does for the team, he can now go to the bench to rest. He has always played, will soon return to the top”.

The player also talked about the midfielder Riyad Mahrez, who was named for the Ballon d’Or’s shortlist as well: “We like to see him on the list for the Ballon d’Or . He’s not the only one, there is also Vardy. This is recognition for what they’ve been done with Leicester.”

Even after returning from loan, Benalouane is still yet to be used by Leicester City. He hasn’t featured for the club this season, making the bench only once against Chelsea in the game for the EFL Cup.

Things weren’t much different last season, before the loan to Fiorentina. He had only nine appearances for the Foxes, starting three times in the EFL Cup and twice in the FA Cup.