Riyad Mahrez: Leicester City will not win the Premier League title - targets 40 point threshold

The 24-year-old has lit up the Premier League this season, scoring 11 goals to fire Leicester to top

Riyad Mahrez celebrates his hat-trick for Leicester against Swansea (Getty Images)

Riyad Mahrez, the Algerian international who typifies Leicester City’s season, has dismissed their chances of winning the Premier League.

Under the stewardship of Claudio Ranieri, the Foxes have transformed themselves from relegation candidates to league leaders in the space of six months.

But Mahrez, who scored a hat-trick as Leicester defeated Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, echoes his manager’s rhetoric about reaching the 40 points considered enough to ensure survival.

“I don't think we can win the league,” the 24-year-old said this week. “We just need to get the 40 points and then after that we will see.”

Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have been sensational for Leicester (Reuters)

Along with 14-goal team-mate Jamie Vardy, nominated for November’s player of the month award this morning, Mahrez has inspired the East Midlands outfit to nine wins in 15 since the inception of the new season.

“I'm not surprised because I knew I could do the things that I have done,” the former Le Havre winger added, speaking to the BBC World Service.

“Football is just confidence. When you start scoring and you carry on it gives you more confidence so maybe that has helped me.”

Leicester are preparing to face reigning champions Chelsea at the King Power Stadium this Monday night and are 17 points clear of Jose Mourinho’s men.