Premier League

Wright drools over Rice

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Ian Wright heaped praise on West Ham defensive midfielder Declan Rice and tipped him to be in the next England squad.

The BBC pundit shared that the 20-year-old Hammers enforcer looked to have everything as he was comfortable with both feet and could help his side defend as well as contribute goals when pushing forward.

Wright added that with Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier not currently featuring for his side then there was clearly room for Rice in Gareth Southgate’s upcoming England squad.

“Yeah (if he will be in next England squad), it’s a position that we struggle to fill, we haven’t got that player who can naturally do the role as good as we are seeing Rice do it at the minute,” said Wright on Monday Night Club (BBC Radio 5 Live, March 4th 20:08)

“Y’know absolutely, yeah (better than Eric Dier) especially in that position, Eric is not playing at the moment unfortunately for him but at the same time we’re talking about someone who is in top form at the minute.

“He is nailed his colours to the mast and I say bring him in and have a look.

“He looks like he has got everything, comfortable on the ball, comfortable on his right side, comfortable on his left side, sees danger, scores goals, gets forward and scores goals so what are we waiting for?”

OPINION

Rice feels like a player with the world at his feet currently as the good news just keeps coming for him. The 20-year-old continues to shine bright for Manuel Pellegrini’s side and just appears to being reaping the rewards his efforts deserve. Rice was handed a new Hammers contract at the end of 2018 and it seems very likely that his first senior cap for England is in the near future. The 20-year-old split opinion when making himself available to England after previously featuring for the Republic of Ireland in three friendly games, but now he has made his choice, it should be respected. The 20-year-old featured regularly as a centre-back last season but in his current campaign he has been impressing as a holding midfielder. Given that England has always struggled to find someone who naturally excels in that position, like Wright pointed out, it be more a shock if Rice doesn’t feature for his nation shortly.

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