Lanzini claims teammate Rice can become better than Mascherano

Add as preferred source on Google

West Ham United playmaker Manuel Lanzini believes youngster Declan Rice has the potential to become an even better player than Javier Mascherano.

Rice broke out last season at the London Stadium after being handed his first-team debut in the 2016/17 campaign, but has caught the eye this term with a string of mature displays.

He is flourishing under Manuel Pellegrini playing in a holding midfield role and will likely earn a PFA Young Player of the Year nomination come the end of the season.

Rice is adored by both the Hammers faithful and his teammates, and Argentine ace Lanzini has predicted big things for the Englishman.

‘He can be better than Mascherano’

Lanzini gushed, as quoted by The London Evening Standard: “Declan is the heart of the team. He’s very young but it is like he has played 200 games.

“It is amazing to watch him and I like to be in the team with him because he has a good touch, good recovery and he is one of the best players in the Premier League.

“I have played with Mascherano and he is a very good player. Declan has started so well and he needs to continue like this. If he stays focused he can be better than Mascherano.”

West Ham will certainly have a player on their hands if Rice can somewhere near Mascherano’s level.

Lanzini’s compatriot played one season for West Ham before moving to Liverpool and flourishing at Anfield.

He then transferred to Barcelona where he truly excelled and won a host of major honours.

Not only was Mascherano a vital cog in the Barcelona machine, but he was also a mainstay for Argentina for the best part of 15 years and is their most-capped player of all-time.

Rice has the ability to play the positions Mascherano mastered, and it’s as Lanzini says; it’s just about keeping his focus and having the desire. He certainly has the potential in terms of ability.