David Moyes backs Declan Rice to become England captain
Declan Rice has a ‘great chance’ of becoming England captain at some point in the future, according to West Ham manager David Moyes.
The 23-year-old midfielder is one of the most in-demand players in Europe currently, with his brilliant form seeing him targeted by the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Man City for a summer move [Telegraph].
Manager David Moyes has already claimed that he would cost more than £100m if the club were to sell him but says they are really pleased to have him at the London Stadium.
But Moyes believes that having learnt from Mark Noble and playing alongside Harry Kane and Harry Maguire at international level, it will only benefit him in the long run.
“As an individual, he’s a really improving young man who’s gaining a lot of experience,” Moyes said in his press conference. “He’s getting better and he learns an awful lot from Mark Noble.
“He [Rice] should look at Harry Kane and Harry Maguire and all of those senior players he’s involved with for England, and take as much from them as he can, because in the future I’ve got no doubt he’s got a great chance of going on to be a future England captain.
“We’re really pleased to have him and he’s an impressive young man.”
Huge honour
Rice’s presence and influence at West Ham is brilliant and clear for all to see, but to become captain of your country is a whole new level.
At 23-years-old he has already become a regular for the international team under Gareth Southgate and has been the regular captain of West Ham for two seasons, with Noble not playing regularly.
The leadership qualities he possesses are obvious, from leading by example on the pitch to also having an aura about him and a freedom around his teammates.
His idol is John Terry, who was also England captain, so you can be sure that it would be a dream come true for Rice if he were to wear the armband for his nation one day.
It seems inevitable at this point that it will happen one day, but whether he’s still at West Ham when it happens is an entirely different question.
In other West Ham news, Mark Lawrenson predicts result of West Ham clash v Watford after FA Cup struggles