West Ham United’s rising star Declan Rice is better than Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier, according to Tony Cascarino.
Rice couldn’t prevent his side from losing to Burnley on Sunday and the London-born midfielder was booked after a poorly timed challenge on Ashley Barnes. Dier, meanwhile, is currently sidelined by an operation to remove his appendix.
Rice, 19, is still developing as a player, but Cascarino believes he plays like a veteran with 300 league appearances. The 56-year-old pundit also praised the youngster’s composure with the ball and his ability to make quick judgements.
“Declan Rice is only 19 but he looks like a veteran of 300 league appearances,” Cascarino told the Times.
“He is so composed, a master of simplicity who sits in front of the back four and refuses to give the ball away. The West Ham midfielder was impeccable in the first half, making two or three crucial interceptions, grabbing possession and then moving it on quickly.
“I think he is better than Eric Dier, who does a similar job for Tottenham Hotspur and England. It is no wonder that Rice has been chased by England as well as Ireland and bigger clubs will be looking at him, too. He is already such a huge talent.”
Rice has a “bright future” at West Ham
After Rice signed a long-term contract with the Hammers, Manuel Pellegrini said he believes Rice has a lot more to offer the club as he develops as a player.
It’s 18 months since Rice made his debut for the club and since then the midfielder has continued to flourish under the tutelage of the Chilean tactician. And Pellegrini has hailed him as an example to other young players trying to break through at the club.
“I am extremely pleased that Declan has extended his contract and secured his long-term future at West Ham United,” Pellegrini told West Ham’s website. “It is thoroughly deserved and I congratulate him.
“Declan is still a young player with his career ahead of him. He already has 50 Premier League appearances at the age of 19 and has shown a very good performance level this season, but there is still more to come.
“Much has been said and written about him this year, but it is to his credit that he has not allowed that to affect his game. He has great focus, dedication and desire. Most importantly, he wants to learn more every day, which is why he has such a bright future.
“Everyone at the football club thinks very highly of Declan – he is a pleasure to work with every day and an example to any young player trying to make it at the highest level.”
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