Declan Rice claims he is relishing his new position as a defensive midfielder at West Ham.
The 19-year old has become an integral component for the Hammers, and has impressed often for the club, helping dictate play as a ball playing man in midfield.
With West Ham due to play their third game in eight days against Burnley at the London Stadium on Saturday, Rice is looking to continue his fine run of form.
Talking to West Ham’s official website, Rice said:
It’s been good, it’s been really, really good. I’m enjoying playing in a different position than last year, which I really like.
Obviously, playing three games in a week is going to be tough, especially having played the second half with ten men on Saturday, but we go again against Burnley, so I’ve got to recover well, conserve my energy and prepare myself mentally to go out there and perform again.
I’m really enjoying playing in that role.
Rice also pointed to centre-back pair Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena as being a big part of his recent successes, tributing the duo’s rapidly developing relationship. Rice continued:
The way we’re all training together, Issa, Fab and myself have got a great connection together. Even though Issa is French and Fab is from Paraguay, we all speak together and we all get on really well, and it’s good to have those connections.
We understand that if Fab goes into the ball, I drop into his spot and we know each other’s positions inside out.
I think it’s good that we have three like that at the top of the spine who know what they’re doing.
