At one point this summer, Riyad Mahrez was one of many Manchester City players linked with a transfer away from the club.
With just a year left on his contract, Mahrez, 31, would have been a candidate for sale if City wanted to ensure they got a fee for the experienced winger. But with Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling departing, Mahrez has stayed put and signed a contract extension earlier this month.
While there was plenty of talk around his future at the start of the transfer window, Mahrez says he was never worried about leaving City and explained how Manchester is where he sees himself for the foreseeable future.
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Speaking to reporters in Green Bay ahead of City's second pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich, Mahrez said: "No, I was never worried. I believe in working hard, whatever you do, you get rewarded. I've never been worried. I'm very happy to stay here, I love the club and that's where I feel the best here.
"Of course [Manchester feels like home]. It's difficult saying this, because I'm from a way different area, from Paris, which is so different to Manchester, but yeah, like you said, my family is here as well, it's like a 50-50 home. I really wanted to keep the stability because I feel good in Manchester."
Mahrez has welcomed a child this summer with his partner, and he says he is confident he can continue performing at a high level in the coming years after signing his new contract.
"I started a bit later. Listen, only the future will tell us but at the moment I feel very good," he explained. "I think I can play a long [time] due to the way I am, my physicality and stuff, but until you arrive at that age. But at the moment I feel very good, I don't see myself losing pace or anything.
"There's intelligence as well, but there's also the fact that I'm skinny, I'm not that heavy. I've never missed a training all my career, I'm never injured, these type of little things makes you think that maybe you can go a bit longer. But you won't know until you're experiencing it."
So with a positive outlook, Mahrez feels he can be a key man in City's chances this season - especially with the departures of two competitors on the right wing.
He added: "Obviously it's two big players that we've lost, who can play in my position as well. But you know me, I want to play all the games. We will see, I hope I can contribute more and more than last season and the season before."
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