---
title: "Pundits lavish praise on West Ham star  Declan Rice"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/10/15/pundits-lavish-praise-on-west-ham-star-declan-rice/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-10-15T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-10-15T07:00:00Z"
---

# Pundits lavish praise on West Ham star Declan Rice

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/10/14/virals-west-ham-want-england-u21-goalkeeper-etienne-green/) midfielder [Declan Rice](https://readwestham.com/2021/10/13/fabrizio-romano-claims-declan-rice-has-always-been-on-the-list-of-rivals/) has been on the receiving end of plenty of praise this season following a host of fine performances.

The 22-year-old continues to flourish at the senior level and has even started to add goals to an [accomplished](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/332325/Show/Declan-Rice) all-around game.

Speaking about the Hammers’ star man on [talkSPORT](https://talksport.com/radio/listen-again/1634223600/1634230800/), former West Ham midfielder Jack Wilshere on pundtry duty and ex-England international Darren Bent were lauding Rice’s qualities.

Wilshere kicked off:

> Who’s better than him? Physically he’s a freak, technically he can do anything. Now he’s added goals – he can do anything. He likes to put his foot and you’ve only got to look at the number of games he’s played at such a young age, you’ve got to have something about you.

Bent responded:

> He’s unbelievable. There doesn’t look like there are any weaknesses, he’s durable, the range of passing, he can play.

Currently a [free agent](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jack-wilshere/leistungsdaten/spieler/74223), the 29-year-old Wilshere went on to say that Rice was the ‘first name’ on David Moyes’ teamsheet.

So far this season the [27-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/declan-rice/nationalmannschaft/spieler/357662/verein_id/3299) England man has [scored twice](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/declan-rice/leistungsdaten/spieler/357662) in nine appearances across all competitions.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Both pundits went on to discuss the possible suitors for the West Ham ace – as well as suggesting an [above £80million](https://talksport.com/football/930843/west-ham-transfers-declan-rice-chelsea-man-united/) transfer fee.

The general consensus was that whilst Rice would love to stay on and become the next ‘Mr West Ham’, the [lure of Champions League football](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jul/01/declan-rice-rejects-west-ham-contract-offers-chelsea-manchester-united-city-champions-league) may prove too strong.

Valued at £63million and under contract until 2024 at the London Stadium ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/declan-rice/marktwertverlauf/spieler/357662)), the club are certainly in a position of strength when it comes to demanding a premium fee.