Jack Wilshere has once again heaped the praise on his former West Ham teammate Declan Rice after his impressive start to the season.
Rice has been gathering plaudits across the board after his goalscoring start to the campaign, with even manager David Moyes lauding the central midfielder.
Moyes is usually reserved in his public praise for his players but such has been the form of the England international, the manager was happy to declare Rice as “arguably one of the best young midfielders in Europe, if not the best.”
Wilshere has joined Moyes in his admiration of Rice calling the West Ham player a ‘freak’ for his physical capabilities but also highlighting his technical ability as well.
“He has got better every year,” Wilshere told talkSPORT. “He had a really good Euros, like he was one of England’s best players and he has taken that into this season.
“Technically, he’s so good. When he gets into them positions, whether it’s his left foot or right foot, he’s got the opportunity to score because he can use both feet just as good.
“And he’s so fit. There’s not a problem with him getting into the box and then recovering into that defensive position because he’s a freak physically, he can do anything.”
It is not the first time Wilshere has praised Rice, with the former Hammer telling Sky Sports last season of the young midfielder’s potential.
“I have said it before how much I rate him as a player and how much I enjoyed playing with and training with him and being around him.
“It is very important for West Ham that they kept him there this year. There is always going to be the big teams that come to try and take Declan Rice. That’s something that West Ham are going to deal with.”
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Wilshere’s thoughts were echoed by Moyes recently, who despite sitting alongside Rice in a pre-Europa League press conference opened up on his views of the 22-year-old.
“I don’t like saying it in front of him but he’s arguably one of the best young midfield players in Europe, if not the best,” the manager said. “If you’re in that position every time he plays he’s got a responsibility for himself. He plays for England.
“Every time he turns out he has to play really well. There’s pressure on him enough. He gets told off enough by me as well, so he has to live with that as well.
“But overall we’re really happy with Declan and what he does. His performances have been excellent and I hope it continues.”