Jamie Carragher has hailed one particular attribute of West Ham midfielder Declan Rice which has previously come in for criticism.
When appearing on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, the ex-Liverpool defender was complimentary towards the 21-year-old’s passing prowess, comparing it to Chelsea legend John Terry.
Rice has been a formidable presence in the heart of the Hammers midfield this season and is yet to miss a league minute for David Moyes’ side.
The 13-cap England international is known for his combative style and tackling ability and has been criticised in the past over his passing. However, Carragher doesn’t feel such conjecture is justified, saying:
There is a lot of chat that he’s not a very good passer, but he can pass. He can pass with his right and left foot. The only one who I can think of who used to do that consistently was John Terry. People who tell me at times that he can’t pass, I just don’t see it.”
The 42-year-old, who amassed 508 Premier League appearances during his career, also hailed Rice as an ‘automatic starter’ for England whilst claiming it feels as though the midfield man has ‘already done a lot in his career’.
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Rice has an 88% passing accuracy across the season and has made more passes than any other West Ham player.
It can be easy to forget that he is still only 21. To already be an established presence for both club and country at his fledgling age is an astonishing achievement.
Whilst he is not yet the finished article, his game is far more rounded than some may think, as Carragher has rightly pointed out, and it appears there are very few weaknesses.
