West Ham ace Declan Rice just goals away from being ‘very special player’ – Paul Ince
West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice is one of the country’s best players but Paul Ince sees just one thing he needs to improve on to become “special”.
The 23-year-old played the full 90 minutes for England last night as they triumphed over Ivory Coast 3-0 at Wembley and he was collected and calm as ever on the international stage.
Ince, a former England international himself, sees likeness between Rice and his former teammate Roy Keane and even Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
“I think he’s a wonderful player,” Ince said, as quoted by the Express. “He’s got leadership qualities, even the way he talks in interviews, you can see he has desires to be one of the best players in the world. You can see his game developing at West Ham.
“He’s now driving with the ball, making things happen. We talk about the Gerrards, Keanes, box-to-box players. This kid is on the same level.
“Give him time because he’s playing as a holding midfield player, I’ve played 20 years in that role and never had licence to go forward. If he can add a few goals to his game, you’re talking about a very, very special player.”
The main man
We’re used to seeing Rice be the best player on the pitch but now he’s proving it isn’t just club football that he can take in his stride.
While it might have only been a friendly for England last night, he still needed to be on the ball to control the game as he did against an Ivory Coast side who can be dangerous if given the chance.
There can be no questions anymore about whether Rice could handle the big occasion as he proved in the European Championships last summer that he is built for the big stage.
West Ham can give that to him at club level too if they go on to win the Europa League this season and it may even be something they have to do if they want the vice-captain to stay beyond the end of this season.
In other West Ham news, Frank McAvennie thinks this Hammers ace should get a new deal after hitting a purple patch in recent weeks.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Hammers plus more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.