Danny Murphy disagrees with position switch for ‘Tremendous’ West Ham standout
Danny Murphy has disagreed with claims that West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice should be used as a defender.
The former Liverpool and England international believes that the 21-year-old has all the attributes to get even better in the middle of the park.
Rice has been tipped as a defender in recent months, although David Moyes continues to use him in midfield alongside Tomas Soucek.
Murphy disagreed with fellow pundit Ian Abrahams, arguing that versatility is a key trait to have as a Premier League footballer.
“He does that holding role so well,” he said on talkSPORT.
“Why are we trying to put him in a pocket of one position? It’s a fantastic thing to be able to play both. The other thing is where a player wants to play.
Murphy went on to claim that he doesn’t see Rice making a career as a defender, like so many have tipped him to do so.
“I don’t.
“Where you want to be involved in the game is the middle of the pitch – he can get himself forward, he’s got great energy, he will get on the ball more.
“To do what he’s done at 21 is tremendous.”
Abrahams claimed in the same segment that with Chelsea interested, it would be wrong to deny him an exit and that the Irons should be seeking up to £80million.
The Times have reported that if Frank Lampard succeeds in his bid to bring Rice to Stamford Bridge over the summer, he will use the youngster as a defender.
Rice is viewed as a player who could sure up the Chelsea defence to solve their fragilities, although Murphy clearly disagrees with that.
In other West Ham United news, this talkSPORT pundit has made a bold claim over the future of one Irons star