---
title: "Pundit predicts big responsibility for ‘brilliant’ West Ham ace Declan Rice"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2022/02/09/pundit-predicts-big-responsibility-for-brilliant-west-ham-ace-declan-rice/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2022-02-09T17:00:00Z"
modified: "2022-02-09T17:00:00Z"
---

# Pundit predicts big responsibility for ‘brilliant’ West Ham ace Declan Rice

Former Premier League striker Darren Bent has claimed [West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2022/02/09/tony-cottee-praises-west-ham-saviour-jarrod-bowen/) star [Declan Rice](https://readwestham.com/2022/02/08/pundit-believes-declan-rice-must-leave-west-ham-to-match-england-stars/) is destined to become England captain.

This comes after Irons’ boss David Moyes also [talked up](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12535528/declan-rice-west-ham-boss-david-moyes-says-midfielder-is-worth-more-than-100m-and-is-a-future-england-captain) the 23-year-old’s chances of leading the Three Lions in the future.

Already a [leading player](https://www.sofascore.com/player/declan-rice/856714) for both club and country, Rice often takes the armband on-field for the Hammers in the absence of club captain Mark Noble.

Speaking to [talkSPORT](https://twitter.com/talkSPORT/status/1491062260931850242), Bent suggested that the London-born midfielder is en route to a bigger honour.

> ©️ “He’s a brilliant role model and I think he will be England captain.”
>
> 👏 “Declan Rice leads by example and he plays by example, too.”
>
> ⚒ “If you look at Rice as a person, I think [#WHUFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/WHUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) means a lot to him.”[@DarrenBent](https://twitter.com/DarrenBent?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) tips [@\_DeclanRice](https://twitter.com/_DeclanRice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) to be an England captain one day! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 [pic.twitter.com/RG00B0Tmnf](https://t.co/RG00B0Tmnf)
>
> — talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) [February 8, 2022](https://twitter.com/talkSPORT/status/1491062260931850242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The 38-year-old went on to say that the [27-cap England man](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/declan-rice/nationalmannschaft/spieler/357662/verein_id/3299) may have to leave the London Stadium in order to achieve the ‘next level’ in a promising career.

So far this season Rice has [scored four times and provided another four assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/declan-rice/leistungsdaten/spieler/357662) in 30 appearances for Moyes’ side.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Not many would’ve predicted a possible future England captain was in the making as Rice [represented the Republic of Ireland](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/declan-rice/nationalmannschaft/spieler/357662/verein_id/3509) at multiple youth levels.

It’s a testament to the [youngster’s influence](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/declan-rice-keane-manchester-united-22981166) on and off the pitch that his name is discussed in this manner.

Seemingly taking a lead from Noble, the [£67.5million valued](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/declan-rice/marktwertverlauf/spieler/357662) Iron will hopefully take over from Mr. West Ham for many years yet.