Jack Wilshere heaped praise on West Ham teammate Declan Rice and backed his decision to choose to represent England.
The 27-year-old Hammers central midfielder raved about Rice’s ability and even claimed that in his opinion the 20-year-old had been the best English defensive midfielder this season.
Wilshere then shared that from what he knew about Rice, the Hammers midfield enforcer was unlikely to let getting an England cap go to his head and that he would keep working hard in order to go to the top.
“I don’t know how tough a decision it was for him but obviously that’s something for him and his family, but I think he made the right decision,” said Wilshere on Sky Sports News (Saturday, March 23rd, 11:14am).
“He’s a fantastic player, a great lad, grounded and for me, he has been the best English midfielder, defensive midfielder this season.
“So he deserves his call-up.
“Well with a call-up for England now, that’s the highest level for him and he needs to keep working hard, knowing Dec and the person he is, he’s not gonna let that get to his head.
“He’s going to remain focus, keep working hard and go to the top.”
OPINION
It’s no surprise that Wilshere is raving about Rice as the midfield enforcer deserves all the plaudits that come his way. The 20-year-old has been in tremendous form for Manuel Pellegrini’s side this season and has continually improved as the campaign has progressed. Rice look uncomfortable as a midfield enforcer against Liverpool on the opening day of the Premier League season but ever since then; he has made the role of holding midfielder his own. While the 20-year-old regularly featured as a centre-back last season, you do feel that he is more suited to playing as defensive midfielder. Wilshere claimed that Rice had been the best English midfield enforcer this season and it says lot, that’s hard to disagree with his statement. Hopefully Rice can continue to improve just like Wilshere says as not only will that be good for him as well as England, it will spell good news for the Hammers.
