Stuart Pearce compares West Ham star Declan Rice to Roy Keane
West Ham assistant coach Stuart Pearce says comparisons between Declan Rice and Roy Keane are ‘well deserved’, live on talkSPORT.
The Hammers vice-captain has been in sensational form this season, and his performance in recent seasons have seen him linked with a nine-figure move to Manchester United and Chelsea.
Now coach Pearce, who was appearing live on talkSPORT, has compared the midfield sensation to former Reds captain Roy Keane and says he’s ‘right up there’ with the best players he’s ever coached.
“I think he’s 22 years old at the moment. You see him pick the ball up and players come to shut him down and he breezes past them. These are Premier League players. You see him shut them down.
“He’s 6ft 2, can get box-to-box, I think he can get more goals. He’s a pleasure, a real pleasure.”
“At his age, at 22-years-old, I would have to say… listen. I’ve played along Roy Keane. Did Roy Keane have that dynamic pace? The comparisons are right up there and well deserved. I’d have to put him right up there.”
Big praise
Roy Keane is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in Premier League history and was a legendary captain at the most successful club in the country.
So comparisons to him shouldn’t be taken lightly, but coming from someone like Pearce they have take a whole different level of meaning.
Rice has earned the right to have his name mentioned alongside those, but it’s consistency and longevity that will keep it there.
A summer move is likely to be the talk of the post-season transfer window, but West Ham should do all they can to keep hold of him for as long as possible.
Rice would improve any team he played for right now and the Hammers are the benefactors of his amazing abilities and quality.
In other West Ham news, TalkSPORT journo shares club stance on reported West Ham chase for ‘excellent’ ace