Sir Trevor Brooking has hailed Declan Rice for constantly getting better, and has singled out the young midfielder’s vastly improved range of passing.
The 20-year-old has been a standout performer for the Hammers this season, and club legend Brooking has been quick to praise the youngster.
Speaking on Radio 5 Live, as quoted by Football.London, he said: “His progress has been superb, he’s only 20 years of age, and he is getting better.
“Declan has come into that holding role, you want somebody there who can play the ball between people and give attackers a chance to get you on the half turn and get on the defence.
“That is what Declan is getting better at, his defensive work is terrific and he’s scored a couple of headers in the last month, but that sort of forward passing is something that is developing all the time.
“If he can do that, and he is a lad who generally wants to learn and is really keen, so I can’t see anything stopping him.”
OPINION
The plaudits just keep on coming forDeclan Rice, and to have somebody of Sir Trevor Brooking’s stature heap the praise on him in the manner that he has must just be the greatest feeling for the young midfielder. He’s only 20, but Rice is going the right way to becoming a club legend for the Hammers – although much of that will depend on how effectively they can keep hold of him as his star continues to rise. If he keeps going on this trajectory then he could well be the subject of interest from a host of top clubs in the very near future, and you have to wonder how well-prepared the Irons are to fend off prospective bidders. The suspicion will be ‘not very’, but Rice could well be tempted to stay at a club that he clearly adores on the basis of the scale of the ambition they are exhibiting and the promise of greater things to come.
