Ike Ugbo raves about Declan Rice ahead of West Ham v Genk
West Ham United host Genk in the Europa League on Thursday and will look to make it three wins in as many games in Group H.
The Hammers saw off Dinamo Zagreb and Rapid Wien in their opening two games, and victory over the Belgian outfit will move them closer to landing a berth in the last-32.
Genk striker Ike Ugbo is looking forward to playing at the London Stadium and a reunion with Declan Rice, 22.
Both played together during their schoolboy days at Chelsea, and the 23-year-old has been impressed by the progress of the Hammers midfielder.
Ugbo told The Sun: “Declan was always the loud one in the changing room. It is mad to see him captain of West Ham now, but he was always a big character.
“You can see now he is a main character in the changing room.”
Main man
With Mark Noble hanging the boots at the end of the campaign, West Ham have the perfect man in place to succeed their skipper in the dressing room.
Rice has already replaced the ageing midfielder on the pitch, establishing himself as an England international and becoming a starter for both club and country.
His swift ascent to the top in recent seasons is nothing short of incredible, and Ugbo is definitely blown away.
The Irons star was released by Chelsea aged 14, but he has bounced back from that huge disappointment and the Stamford Bridge outfit have since been linked with an interest in his signature.
Rice has continued to impress this term with some outstanding performances, and he will be looking to do so against Genk.
Some of his suitors will definitely be watching tonight, and West Ham’s chances of holding on to their key player for long continue to decrease.
In other West Ham news, Jack Wilshere has predicted a major Hammers exit, but reckons one goal would stop it.
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