West Ham midfielder Jack Wilshere has gushed over teammate Declan Rice, calling the younger the “best player in his position in the country”.
The 20-year-old made his debut for England on Friday evening in the 5-0 win over the Czech Republic, and Wilshere has admitted to being proud of the academy graduate.
Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: “I thought about texting him the other day, before Friday, but I decided not to, because there will have been so many people messaging him.
“I know what it is like when you’re preparing for your England debut. He will have just wanted to focus on the game.
“I’m really happy for him that he got some game time, because I believe he is the best player in his position in the country right now. He has done us proud, his family proud, and himself proud. I’m happy for him.”
OPINION
It’s hard not to be overjoyed for Rice after the remarkable progression he has enjoyed at West Ham so far this season. After making his breakthrough last term, he has cemented his place as one of the Hammers’ most important talents, and you would expect massive things from him in the future. Friday was the first step in that journey, and one that he will remember for the rest of his life, but now the real work begins. You would be surprised if Rice didn’t become a key player for the Three Lions, but whether or not he does is largely dependent on the next two or three years. He has all the tools he needs to do just that, and the backing of a seasoned pro like Wilshere will speak volumes as to how highly he is thought of, but nothing is guaranteed. That being said, Rice seems to have exactly the right mentality to make sure that he reaches the very top, and that’s massively exciting.
