---
title: "Kalvin Phillips Full Of Praise For Declan Rice"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2020/12/09/kalvin-phillips-praises-unbelievable-declan-rice/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2020-12-09T13:00:28Z"
modified: "2020-12-09T13:00:28Z"
---

# Kalvin Phillips Full Of Praise For Declan Rice

Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has praised [West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2020/12/09/west-ham-fans-dont-want-ryan-fredericks-sold/) star [Declan Rice](https://readwestham.com/2020/12/04/west-ham-fans-beg-club-to-give-declan-rice-new-contract/) ahead of their teams’ forthcoming showdown when speaking to [BBC Radio Leeds](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p090vb83) on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old Whites midfielder is enjoying his [first taste of Premier League football](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalvin-phillips/detaillierteleistungsdaten/spieler/351749)this term and will [almost certainly be in the lineup](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalvin-phillips/leistungsdaten/spieler/351749) to face the Hammers at Elland Road on Friday night.

Phillips, who has been [dubbed the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/kalvin-phillips-the-yorkshire-pirlo-that-england-can-thank/baoqt83rcrf413a7kkqat79bh) for his midfield talents, will pit his wits against Rice in an intriguing tussle which could go a long way to deciding the outcome of Friday’s clash.

In the build-up to the match, Phillips has heaped praise on his[fellow England international](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalvin-phillips/nationalmannschaft/spieler/351749/verein_id/3299), saying: “Declan’s obviously a very good player. He is younger than me as well. He has got a lot of experience in the Premier League, as I have not. For him to be playing for England so young is unbelievable for him. It’s very good for him.”

Remarkably, the two central midfielders have almost [identical stats](https://www.premierleague.com/stats/player-comparison) so far this season, highlighting the importance of the battle between the two on Friday.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Phillips himself has earned [plenty of plaudits](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-kalvin-phillips-news-18032231) for his performances since arriving in the Premier League, so for him to take time to credit Rice ahead of the meeting between the two is a nod towards the West Ham man’s influence across the division.

At times the Irons midfielder may get [taken for granted](https://readwestham.com/2020/11/19/jamie-carragher-declan-rice-doesnt-get-credit-he-deserves/) from outside quarters. To be [captaining a club of the size of West Ham](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/november/15-november/declan-rice-hails-influence-mark-noble-and-harry-kane) as well as being an [England regular](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/mason-mount-declan-rice-england-goals-b1729592.html) at the tender age of 21 is almost unheard of and, as such, Phillips’ high praise of his England colleague is wholly justified.