Jamie Redknapp has tipped West Ham youngster Declan Rice to go all the way to the top, and has suggested that he could end up replacing Fernandinho at Manchester City.
The 19-year-old has put in a number of eye-catching displays so far this season, and scored his first professional goal to give the Hammers a 1-0 win over Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime.
Speaking as a pundit on that match for Sky Sports, as quoted in the Daily Mail, Redknapp said: “You look at players like Fernandinho at Manchester City and they must be looking at Declan Rice thinking “he’s the next one” because it’s so hard to find good players in that position.
“He’s come in from centre back and is now one of the best defensive midfielder’s around.”
OPINION
Rice has been exemplary so far this season for West Ham, and the Hammers will be massively relieved that they were able to tie him down to a new contract earlier in the campaign. If he continues to perform at the level that he is, however, then it’s only a matter of time before the big clubs start circling, and the Irons will be fully aware of just how in demand he could become. Rice clearly adores his boyhood club, and that will give fans massive encouragement, as will the fact that the side appears to be on the up under Manuel Pellegrini and the Chilean would surely love to build a team around the youngster. The other big question all be whether Rice pledges his allegiance to Ireland or England at international level. At this rate, either county would be desperate to have him, and Gareth Southgate must be praying that he chooses the Three Lions.