West Ham fans on social media heaped praise on Declan Rice after witnessing him feature as a midfielder for the Republic of Ireland on Saturday.
The 19-year-old, who usually features a centre-back for the Hammers, played in the heart of his nation’s midfield for their friendly game against the United States of America.
Rice helped his side secure a 2-1 victory in that match and it marked the second game in a row for the Republic of Ireland where he had been utilised as a midfielder rather than a defender.
After being impressed with the 32 outings he made as enforcer for the Hammers in the recently ended campaign, fans were quick to rave about the teenager’s ability to adapt for his nation.
One supporter tweeted that their club needed to build the team around this lad while another claimed that due to Rice’s composure on the ball he could easily become a similar player to Manchester United’s Nemanja Matić in the future.
While many were quick to picture him in midfield, one Hammers fan tweeted to try and calm everyone down by sharing that while Rice could do a role similar to Tottenham’s Eric Dier at the club, as he believes the team need more of a playmaker in the heart of its team.
Forever West Ham has rounded up the best tweets about Rice’s latest display for the Republic of Ireland:
@_DeclanRice great performance tonight Dec. Its been a pleasure watching your game develop this year despite all the fuss with the team. Well done fella, delighted for you ⚒
— Simon Fisher (@simonjfshr) June 3, 2018
We need to build are team around this lad ⚒⚒⚒
— alan barrett ⚒ (@alanthehammer) June 2, 2018
I think when @Noble16Mark hangs up his boots @_DeclanRice could be captain
— michelegarside (@michelegarside8) June 2, 2018
Yeah, he can do that but I'd still like him to be played in his natural position.
— Paul Knight ⚒ (@pauljk75) June 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/tekkers44whufc/status/1003024720692940802
https://twitter.com/Raynertron/status/1003019209306198017
Let's not get carried away. He could do a job yes. But in CM you need a playmaker, someone to control the team. We haven't had that for years and he's not right for it. Can do a Dier ok though!
— . (@TheTiltman) June 2, 2018
I say this because Rice has played at CDM twice for Ireland, and he has been excellent in both games. He does the defensive work, and his passing range is absolutely brilliant too.
— West Ham Fan Zone (@WHUFCFZ) June 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/metcow/status/1003045673204441089
