Premier League

Cole raves about Rice

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Joe Cole raved about West Ham midfielder Declan Rice for his performance in England’s 5-1 win over Montenegro on Monday.

The former Hammers player gushed about the 20-year-old, who was making his full England debut, and shared that he thought he was technically good.

Cole claimed that some people at home might not realise what Rice does during games and pointed out that the Hammers enforcer knitted the game together in order to allow his nation to hit their opponents on the counter-attack.

“Yeah he is a centre-half by trade, you can see that,” said Cole on ITV during half-time of England’s 5-1 win over Montenegro (Monday March 25th, 20:45). 

“He wants to sniff out the danger, he’s not interested in getting in there and trying to look like Pirlo.

“He is very good technically, he knits the game together and maybe the people at home might not see what he does well, what we’re seeing here.

“But he’s giving us the chance to counter.”

OPINION

Rice’s performance for England on Monday was a mixed bag. The 20-year-old seemed to have a nervy start to the game and made a couple of mistakes, but then quickly improved. Rice showed everyone that he was ready to represent England as once he settled into the match, he played a vital part. The midfielder regularly broke up play and set his side on the attack by making several great passes. It’s easy to see why Cole thinks some may not be ready to heap praise on Rice after what they saw on Monday as it’s not like his display will make the headlines. However the 20-year-old isn’t that sort of player, yet that shouldn’t see him go under the radar. Rice does the dirty jobs that are needed to be done and hopefully Gareth Southgate spotted all his good work. Although while West Ham fans will be thrilled that Rice did well during the international break, their biggest takeaway will be the fact he didn’t pick up an injury.

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