Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has been talking up England hopes and lauding West Ham star Declan Rice’s defensive midfield qualities.
The 22-year-old was named as part of Gareth Southgate’s 33-man provisional England squad on Tuesday and is widely expected to be named in the final 26 man selection next week.
This season Rice helped inspire David Moyes‘ side to an almost unprecedented sixth-place finish – securing Europa League football for next season in the process.
Sutton, a former Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers frontman, has been hailing the midfielder in his England squad reaction for the Daly Mail.
Come 1pm on June 13, when England’s lineup to face Croatia is released, Rice’s name should be listed. He protects back lines as well as anyone in the Premier League.
Often Irons captain in the absence of Mark Noble, the combative midfield ace earned an average Sofascore rating of 7.08 in 32 Premier League outings.
The man who holds a market value of £54million (Transfermarkt) was described as an ‘outstanding captain’ earlier this term by Moyes.
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
High praise indeed for the Hammer.
There are some elite defensive-minded midfielders in the English top-flight – including Tomas Soucek.
Rice has continued to enjoy a meteoric rise to stardom in east London and is seemingly developing all the time as a player capable of running a midfield.
