Aaron Cresswell explains why Declan Rice has surpassed Dimitri Payet

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West Ham United left-back Aaron Cresswell has revealed that Declan Rice has surpassed Dimitri Payet as the best Hammers player he’s played alongside.

The 32-year-old played alongside the mercurial Frenchman 52 times during Payet’s time in London, but the Marseille man has lost his status to midfield general Rice.

Cresswell, with Rice, has made the joint most appearances (117) of any West Ham player across David Moyes’s two spells at the clubs.

But with Rice’s reputation continuing to soar for club and country, Cresswell has lavished his teammate with praise in an interview with the Times.

Speaking about West Ham’s influential number 41, the former Ipswich Town full-back said: “In the past, I said Dimitri Payet is the best I’ve ever played with but given his progression it’s probably Dec now.

“I’m not saying it because he’s at West Ham: I believe he’s the best in his position in the world.

“Some might disagree, but from what I see, day to day and in games, over the last two years he’s kicked on another level.

“You look at the way he is for England, he’s so athletic, he’s got absolutely everything to be world class – and I believe he already is.”

With a blockbuster Europa League quarter-final clash with Lyon to come, winning the European competition looks like the Irons best chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

Moyes’s men sit six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal having played two games more than Mikel Arteta’s side.

Qualification for Europe’s best club competition could convince Rice to stick around at the London Stadium for another season, but if they don’t enquiries for his services are likely to be made.

But given Moyes has slapped a staggering £150m price tag on the all-action midfielder’s shoulders, it’s hard to see a club paying that asking price.

However, with Declan Rice’s contract not expiring until 2024 and with the Hammers having the option to trigger that by a further year, his asking price isn’t likely to dramatically fall until the summer of 2023.