RICE IS ACE IN THE DEC
... but reality is he must quit Hammers to step up
NO ONE would start an argument that Declan Rice hasn’t got the class and quality to be an England lynchpin for the next decade.
Right now he’s looking the bee’s knees and has delivered on the first phase of his potential, emerging as a future leader of men whatever the colour of their shirt.
Little wonder that Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United would all take the central midfield dynamo in a heartbeat – even if a £120million price tag is eye-watering.
What may be in doubt, though,
is whether by staying at West Ham Rice can take his game to the level that will make him a real true great for club and country.
No disrespect to the Hammers, who have a proud history of providing England with iconic footballers like Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters who made the 1966 World Cup an East End affair.
They may even point to Alan Shearer, who stayed at the top even when Newcastle weren’t winning the big prizes. Or Matt Le Tissier, whose skill level never dipped for being at Southampton.
But Rice is different. At this stage of his development he needs to be on a bigger stage.
Assertive
In the Premier League. In the Champions League. And in everyday training with the best players around who can wring every ounce of excellence from him.
Rice cut a powerful figure against Italy at Molineux in England’s third Nations League game in a week.
Aggressive, decisive and combative, Rice showed exactly why he’s so crucial for England both in defence and attack.
As well as diligent defensive work, accurate, quick passing and assertive forward surges, Rice came close to scoring with a 17th-minute volley which ended up over the bar
That’s not his real duty, but it’s a mark of what he may add to his game in time to come at a club where demands are bigger.
Considering this was his 58th game of the season his energy levels were remarkable against a young Italy side who grew stronger as the match unfolded.
Rice lasted 64 minutes before being replaced by Kalvin Phillips – but his shift was more impressive than some team-mates.
England had stumbled into this game on the back of two ropey performances against Hungary and Germany.
Their lacklustre display in Budapest suggested these might be games too far at the end of a long season.
They certainly paid the price in Hungary, but somehow rallied in Munich to scrape a draw with a Harry Kane penalty.
The England skipper started this one on the bench as Southgate fielded five of the stars who played in the delayed Euro 2020 final against Italy at Wembley last summer. Harry Maguire, Mason Mount,