RICE IS NEW WEST HAM ANCHORMAN

THE first time I saw Declan Rice play in midfield was at Liverpool on the opening day of the season. West Ham were well beaten and after the game, I did not think Rice had it in him to master that position.

He could not handle Liverpool’s movement and was dragged all over the pitch. He has since learned from that game and made the position at the base of midfield his own.

Rice may be just 19 but when I watch him now, I see an old head on young shoulders — a player who is towering in the air and not afraid to be aggressive. Mark Noble was waxing lyrical about him when I spoke to West Ham’s captain recently.

His schooling as a centre back gives him that defensive instinct to snuff out danger whenever West Ham do not have the ball.

During West Ham’s brilliant victory over Burnley he won the ball back 12 times, more than any player on the pitch at the London Stadium.

He has become more disciplined in maintaining his central position and when his team are in possession, he drops back in between the centre halves to allow their full backs to attack.

Rice has all the hallmarks of Fernandinho, the anchorman of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City midfield. The Brazilian is still performing at the peak of his powers but given he is 33, City will be on the lookout for a long-term replacement.

I would not be surprised if Rice is someone they are targeting.

It is a move he could handle. He is in the same mould as Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and John Terry — players who put in the hard yards in training and worked tirelessly to keep on improving their game.

England manager Gareth Southgate should be banging down his door to convince him to play for his team rather than the Republic of Ireland and Rice must also decide whether to sign a new deal with West Ham.

Rice’s future will be just as bright and it is vital that he makes the right decisions for his career.