Ray Parlour raved about West Ham midfielder Declan Rice and claimed he could one day be the perfect fit for Manchester City if they need to replace Fernandinho.
The former Premier League player shared that he had been really impressed by the Hammers midfield enforcer and claimed that if the 20-year-old kept improving, he could soon be what Man City needed.
Parlour also added that he thought Rice had done a wonderful job at the London Stadium but seemed equally impressed that Hammers favourite Tony Gale thought the 20-year-old was a different class when played as a centre-back.
“Yeah very impressed, really improved, I think he is still a couple of season away (from being top-six worthy),” said Parlour on talkSPORT (9:50am, Monday June 3rd).
“I think he really has to firm up his position for West Ham, he has done a wonderful job sitting in front.
“I spoke to Tony Gale and he said he is a different class at centre-half, so very similar to what Stuart said there (similar career path to Eric Dier), he is a defender who has moved into that midfield area.
“But for me, you’ve got to look at Fernandinho at Manchester City, he isn’t getting any younger, he is 34 or 35, so that could be the perfect fit if he keeps improving, but not just yet.”
OPINION
West Ham fans will have mixed feelings reading Parlour’s view. While they’ll be thrilled to hear Rice getting the credit he deserves, and the idea of him getting even better; they won’t like the Arsenal legend suggesting that Man City should be keen. By all accounts Man City are well aware of Rice’s potential to be a long-term successor Fernandinho and they don’t need any more encouragement to check him out. After all The Sun previously reported that Pep Guardiola’s side were lining up Rice to be a long-term replacement for the Brazilian in January. West Ham fans won’t want to imagine Rice playing his football anywhere else, even down the line, as the 20-year-old is key to their team and the club’s future. Rice played 38 times for the Hammers in his 2018/19 season and will only continue to improve as Manuel Pellegrini hands him game time. While Parlour hints that the 20-year-old’s future could potentially end up being at Premier League giants Man City, it’s worth noting that his Hammers contract doesn’t end until 2024.