Former Leicester City forward Riyad Mahrez says Harry Maguire’s performances at the 2018 World Cup show he deserves to be playing at the highest level.

Maguire has enjoyed a meteoric rise since making the move from Hull City to Leicester last summer, with the defender becoming a first-team regular for both club and country.

The 25-year-old was an ever-present in the Premier League last season and his impressive displays on the domestic stage led to a first England cap in 2017, starting in the away win over Lithuania.

He was included in Gareth Southgate’s 2018 World Cup squad and the centre-back has turned out some fantastic performances for the Three Lions, who made it to the semi-finals in Russia before being beaten 2-1 by Croatia on Wednesday night.

Interest in Maguire is said to be high as several teams look to strengthen at the back ahead of the new campaign and Mahrez, who recently left the Foxes to join Manchester City, says the defender is good enough for a top-level team.

“I believe ‘H’ is a very good player. Since the day he came to Leicester, and after the season he had last season as well, it doesn’t surprise me when I see his level at the World Cup.

“Of course he deserves to play higher but Leicester are a good club as well, so let’s see. He’ll have to decide.”

Leicester open their Premier League season away at Manchester United on August 10 and the visitors are 9.00 to pick up the win, a draw is priced at 4.75 whilst the hosts are 1.36 favourites.