Jamie Redknapp has been gushing over West Ham midfielder Declan Rice after he opted to ditch the Republic of Ireland and switch international allegiance to play for England.
Rice, 20, confirmed his decision on Wednesday and he will now be available to play for the Three Lions as soon as next month when the next international break takes place.
Sky Sports pundit Redknapp claims that he would be shocked if Rice wasn’t included in Gareth Southgate’s next squad, suggesting that the defensive midfielder is captain material.
“Declan has shown incredible maturity in learning his position in defensive midfield,” Redknapp said on the Daily Mail website.
“He picks pockets, makes timely blocks and reads the game well. When I watch him at West Ham I see a natural leader.
“He is always talking and organising his team-mates.
“I would be amazed if he is not in next month’s squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Czech Republic and Montenegro.
“His decision is great news for Southgate and England.”
OPINION
Without doubt, Rice will be in the next England squad. The midfielder definitely deserves a place but Southgate will feel obliged to name him in his squad, perhaps due to an agreement that was in place. Even if it is just for the sake of appeasing the player, Rice should be in the England team no matter what from now on as the London-born ace is the country’s best defensive midfielder. Eric Dier has been England’s only real midfield enforcer up until now, but the Tottenham player has not shown amazing form for the Three Lions in the last couple of years. Rice should be above Dier in the pecking order, even if he is less experienced and Southgate should start to try grooming the ex-Ireland international to be a future England captain. He will without doubt take the armband at West Ham one day in the future – if he stays there – so why not England? Rice has been untouchable in West Ham’s starting line-up this season, appearing 27 times across all competitions. He surely has what it takes.