---
title: "Tony Cottee rates Declan Rice over Jordan Henderson"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/04/28/tony-cottee-rates-declan-rice-over-jordan-henderson/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-04-28T16:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-04-28T16:00:00Z"
---

# Tony Cottee rates Declan Rice over Jordan Henderson

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/04/28/otd-west-ham-continue-great-escape-with-resounding-victory-over-wigan/) legend Tony Cottee has admitted that he rates [Declan Rice](https://readwestham.com/2021/04/28/virals-declan-rice-gets-embroiled-in-hilarious-nickname-conversation/) over Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.

Rice has become an integral part of a Hammers side currently punching above its weight and [pushing for a UEFA Champions League spot](https://www.premierleague.com/tables).

The 22-year-old has earned an average [Sofascore rating 7.09](https://www.sofascore.com/player/declan-rice/856714) from his 29 Premier League appearances this term – fuelling his case for being the elite defensive midfielder in the Premier League.

Beyond being a key player in David Moyes’ side, Cottee has told [West Ham Fan TV](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz5il0DkkwQ) that the 15-cap England ace has surpassed the levels of Henderson already.

> The reason he’s playing for England is he’s the best player in that position, and I include Jordan Henderson in that as well. If you’ve got to pick a player \[from those two\], you’ve got to pick Dec (Rice) in front of Jordan Henderson. That’s how well he’s doing. That’s a great compliment because Jordan has really improved, he’s a top player, captain of Liverpool etc.

Henderson – who is [averaging 7.05 with Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/jordan-henderson/42694) – has achieved greatness at Anfield winning both the Champions League and Premier League in quick succession, as well as a [plethora of other trophies](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jordan-henderson/erfolge/spieler/61651) to decorate the big two.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

There’s no doubt Rice has [grown immensely](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/april/04-april/david-moyes-declan-rice-continues-improve) in the last 18 months since becoming an Irons regular.

Having captained the side in the playing absence of Mark Noble, the London-born youngster has certainly [gone from strength to strength](https://theathletic.com/2210712/2020/11/22/declan-rice-west-ham-captain/#:~:text=There%20were%20times%20when%20it,their%20new%20leader%20all%20along.) in claret and blue.

However, given everything the[58-times capped](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jordan-henderson/nationalmannschaft/spieler/61651/verein_id/3299) Henderson has achieved, the 30-year-old’s experience is hard to ignore when it comes to comparing the two.