Harry Maguire agrees with former England midfielder Adam Lallana that he is playing near his top level at Euro 2020.
The Manchester United skipper has been an important figure for Gareth Southgate's Three Lions in the road to the final.
Maguire missed England's two opening group stage fixtures due to a serious ankle ligament injury but replaced Tyrone Mings in the starting team and hasn't looked back.
He netted in the 4-0 thrashing of Ukraine in the quarter final in Rome and has been a key leader in Southgate's squad.
The 28-year-old's partnership with Manchester City star John Stones has yielded just one goal in the tournament and his impressive performances have been earning plenty of praise.
Former Liverpool star Lallana, now at Brighton, admitted misjudging Maguire's talent and labelled him as 'world class' for his Euros performances.
Speaking in his column for The Times, Lallana said: "I misjudged Harry Maguire. I don’t mind admitting that.
"I have always thought he was a very good player, but what this tournament has shown me, and hopefully others, is that he is at the next level: a proven world-class defender.
“One of the things that has been hugely impressive about his performances has been the fact he came back into the team having been out through injury for six weeks. Having suffered injuries, I can vouch for how difficult that is.
"You lack rhythm, you feel a little vulnerable, and so to make the impact Harry has made on one of the biggest stages illustrates not only his ability but also his mentality."
Maguire is set to start in the final against Italy on Sunday in the biggest game of his career.
And he believes he is is reaching his best ever form ahead of the meeting with the Azzurri.
“It is close to it," Maguire said on the official England podcast, when asked if it is the best he's ever played.
“I am in a good place, obviously coming back off a seven-week injury to hit the heights and form that I have done, I am really proud of how I have handled the situation and it shows all the hard work I put in during those seven weeks has paid off.
“I feel like I am learning and improving and I can still get better, but the main thing is the team and winning football matches and keeping clean sheets and that is the focus.
“I think a lot of people spoke about previous players and how it affected them and said ‘He won’t be able to do this’, and ‘He won’t be able to get his rhythm’.
“You hear so much negativity over injuries, I just had to remain focused and clear-minded on what I wanted to do and I have great belief and confidence in my ability to be able to step in.
"You are not just stepping into a friendly game you are stepping into the biggest stage possible."
