Declan Rice admits he is enjoying the new found freedom of playing in midfield for Slaven Bilic’s side and says he is aiming to keep impress the Croatian in an effort to cement a regular first team spot.
Rice has been a revelation for Bilic’s side since the start of the season, and has been the stand-out player in an otherwise disappointing start to the new campaign.
The 18-year-old first impressed at Old Trafford on the opening weekend, coming on as an early second half substitute, more than holding his own against the likes of Paul Pogba in the Manchester United midfield; and again showed his worth as he started in the narrow 3-2 defeat to Southampton last week.
Despite the disappointing results however, Rice is pleased with how the season has begun on a personal level and already has his eye on a regular spot in Bilic’s starting XI.
“It’s nice to see there is a lot of positive talk about me, as I’ve been working really, really hard on the training pitch and all the lads have really helped me. These last three games have probably been the best three games of my life, really, being around the first team and the fans and everything about it has been unbelievable.” said Rice speaking on whufc.com.
He then added: “I’ve only played three games and there are a lot of players who have played three games and not had a career, so it’s only the start. I’ve just got to keep improving and showing the manager what I can do and making him play me.”
The biggest change for Rice perhaps hasn’t been the change in level from U23s to the first-team – although admittedly it is a big step – but is the change in position the youngster has undergone. Rice played most of his youth football as a central defender, but has stepped into a deep lying central midfield role this season under Slaven Bilic, a role which he is both relishing and hopes to continue to thrive in.
“I know the role, as I used to play there when I was playing for Chelsea. It stemmed from pre-season, when the manager wanted me to play there, and I’m not one to complain so I’ve got on with it and grown into that position. Whether he wants me to play at centre-half or in midfield, I’m ready to play.
“I enjoy playing in midfield! You get a bit more freedom around the pitch, you can control the game and you’re more the orchestrator, where you get to play the ball around, whereas at centre-back you are stuck in one position. I don’t mind, wherever I play.”
