West Ham manager David Moyes backed the ‘impressive young man’ that is Declan Rice to one day become England captain. Rice was the star of the show on Saturday afternoon against Kidderminster Harriers when he came off the bench to spare the Hammers blushes with a superb 91st-minute strike to take the game into extra time.
David Moyes said: “As an individual he is a really improving young man who has gained a lot of experience and is getting better.”
Rice has worn the captain’s armband for West Ham more than any other player this season with Mark Noble having less of a role on the playing side of things. And Moyes has urged the England star to not only learn from Noble but also the leaders he plays alongside on international duty.
David Moyes added: “He is learning an awful lot from Mark Noble. And I have said many times he should look at Harry Kane and Harry Maguire and all those senior players he is involved with at England, and take as much from them as he can. Because in the future there is no doubt he is in with a great chance of being the England captain – so he should look at them. We are really pleased to have him and he is a really impressive young man.”
Moyes was reluctant to speak on Rice’s future amid transfer speculation linking him with a move away from West Ham. However, the manager eventually agreed with the statement that his star was in the category of more than £100million players.
David Moyes replied: “Well….yeah.”