Ranieri doesn't believe 'king' Mahrez needs to leave Leicester to improve

Lionel Messi is the king of Barcelona. Cristiano Ronaldo rules Madrid. But who owns the crown in Leicester?

Riyad Mahrez, if you ask Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri.

The Algerian has been at the centre of transfer speculation due to his stunning display with the Foxes thus far. But Ranieri has once again ruled out a move away from Leicester, claiming there's no reason for Mahrez to leave as long as the team continues its winning ways.

"He wants to stay with us, we want to keep him and that's it," Ranieri told reporters ahead of Leicester's upcoming match against Liverpool. "He has to improve and when he improves, the team improves and when that happens why would he want to go away? He's a king here."

Related - Claudio Ranieri: 'No one can buy Vardy or Mahrez in January'

Ranieri said the environment at Leicester suits Mahrez, and a move away could hinder his growth as a footballer.

"He can grow with the team because if you stay at the bottom and fight no-one knows you but now everybody is talking about you and that is maybe a bit of pressure," the former Chelsea manager said.

"You have to manage this kind of pressure. It's important for him to manage this stress. It's important he understands on the pitch is one thing and the TVs and newspapers are another thing."

The attention from other teams has definitely been earned after compiling 13 goals and seven assists through 19 appearances for the first-place Foxes.