OPINION
There is no doubt that West Ham United are still basking in the 3-1 victory over Everton last weekend – and there is one area of the pitch that particularly impressed.
Boss Manuel Pellegrini opted for a new-look midfield, with the likes of Declan Rice, Pedro Obiang and Mark Noble combining in the middle of the park to great effect.
This central midfield trio proved to far more successful compared to when Mark Noble formed a partnership with Jack Wilshere, and it looks like Pellegrini will stick with this combination.
One player that particularly impressed in the midfield department was Declan Rice, who played just in front of the back four to provide cover.
Hammers’ legend Phil Parkes was full of praise for the 19-year-old, and insisted that there is one thing that Pellegrini must do with him in order bring the best out of his team.
“In my mind the manager should start building the team around him because he was central to all the good things that were going on and it was his protection of the back four which was central to the victory,” he told Claret and Hugh.
” [Fabian] Balbuena and [Issa] Diop are beginning to look good but they will want Declan in front of them – that’s a certainty.”
The Chilean must heed the advice of Parkes, because as he says, the 6ft 1in [Transfermarkt] ace was at the centre of everything that the Irons did right in their win over the Toffees.
He was one of the standout players on the pitch last Sunday, and he plays with a maturity far beyond his years – and his cover to the back four is absolutely essential if the full-backs want to go out and attack.
His addition to the team has made all of the difference, especially with the energy he injects into the midfield – so it is absolutely vital that Pellegrini heeds the advice of Parkes and makes the change that could ensure they go on a good run.