---
title: "Chris Sutton thinks Declan Rice has become ‘stronger’ this season"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/03/31/chris-sutton-thinks-declan-rice-has-become-stronger-this-season/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-03-31T08:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-03-31T08:00:00Z"
---

# Chris Sutton thinks Declan Rice has become ‘stronger’ this season

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/03/30/micah-richards-thinks-exceptional-aaron-creswell-deserves-more-credit/) midfielder [Declan Rice](https://readwestham.com/2021/03/01/report-jesse-lingard-could-be-used-in-declan-rice-offer/) has been growing in stature as a player week in week out in recent times for both club and country – but he may also have undergone physical growth.

That’s according to former Premier League striker Chris Sutton, who told [606 on BBC Radio 5 Live Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09c33m6) that he thinks he has noticed a discernible increase in strength in the 22-year-old.

> He seems to have become really powerful, bulked up a little bit. He looks stronger.

Rice has certainly [become a mainstay for both club and country](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/declan-rice/leistungsdaten/spieler/357662) this season and has taken on added responsibility at the heart of both sides.

With Hammers club captain Mark Noble rarely seen from the start this term, the London-born ace has also[taken on the captaincy](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/west-ham-david-moyes-declan-rice-mark-noble-captain-b256466.html)with David Moyes’ side.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Rice’s physicality was always likely to increase as he got older and played more football.

But there’s no doubt this season has been a true [coming of age](https://www.premierleague.com/players/15202/Declan-Rice/stats) campaign, in [all aspects](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/332325/Show/Declan-Rice) of his game.

Perhaps the arrival of Tomas Soucek alongside him has further inspired the England man to further [bolster his attributes](https://www.infogol.net/en/player/declan-rice/11002), strength included.

The West Ham star could be back in action tonight when Gareth Southgate’s [England side face Poland](https://www.skysports.com/football/teams/england/fixtures).