PSG star Marco Verratti really likes ‘wonderful’ West Ham United captain Declan Rice, backs him to sign for a ‘top side’
PSG and Italy star Marco Verratti has backed “wonderful” West Ham midfielder Declan Rice to sign for a “top side” in the near future.
Rice has long been linked with a move away from the Hammers, with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United reportedly in a battle for his signature this summer [Fabrizio Romano].
And Italy international Verratti strongly believes that his fellow midfielder Rice can secure such a move, with the duo set to go head to head when England take on Italy in their Euro 2024 qualifier on Thursday (23 March).
“I really like him as a player, he provides great balance and shape to the team, he has got wonderful physical attributes and really helps the team out a lot,” said Verratti, as quoted by the Express.
“He is a number 6, a defensive midfielder that England really need and I’m sure he will end up at a top side.
“He never gives up. He has a wonderful attitude and is really young so has room for improvement.”
Familiar foes
Whether or not the cunning Italian is playing mind games ahead of his big midfield clash against Rice is uncertain, but the West Ham man will be thrilled with such praise from a player of Verratti’s calibre.
The PSG man has won several major trophies in his career, namely lifting the Euro 2020 trophy against the Three Lions in one of many recent meetings between the two nations.
Both were off the pitch by the time the final went to penalties, but they will know each other’s strengths and weaknesses well, having both started the match at Wembley.
West Ham fans will have mixed feelings about their captain when he inevitably makes a move to a bigger Premier League club, but a switch to a London rival such as Arsenal may not go down too well at all.
Ultimately, Hammers supporters can have no complaints given Rice’s commitment to the club over the years, and that will definitely be the case should they be relegated from the top flight this season.