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Gary Neville has claimed that West ham United favourite Declan Rice reminds him of Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier and questioned Rice’s long-term ability to play in midfield – prompting reaction from shocked West Ham supporters.
Rice, 21, has become a fan favourite with West Ham and has the potential to go on and become a club legend – already captaining the side in 12 of their 14 Premier League matches this season. Mark Noble has been dropped to the bench.
He failed to prevent West Ham losing 3-0 to Chelsea on Monday night has been a crucial part of a side that have performed well under David Moyes this season. His partnership with Tomas Soucek has been fundamental to the Hammers this term.
But Neville is not sure about his long-term future in midfield. The Sky Sports pundit claimed, as per Football Daily, that Rice looks like a defender playing in central midfield – and likened the England ace to Tottenham’s Dier, who has played in midfield.
“He has had a brilliant start to his career and to have 112 Premier League games under his belt at 21 is fantastic,” Neville said. “It’s a massive case for being at a club that plays you. Some players at Chelsea, City – they haven’t had the games by 21.
“He can pass, he has built up confidence. When I watch him, I always get the feeling – like Eric Dier at Spurs – that it is like a centre-back playing in midfield. Are they going to become a top midfielder? He’s brilliant, but I wonder if he’s a top midfielder.”
Dier has since moved into defence from midfield, despite shining in the middle of the park under Mauricio Pochettino. He dropped off towards the end of the Argentine’s spell at Spurs and Jose Mourinho has since moved him to centre-back.
West Ham supporters reacted on Twitter to the news that Neville had likened Rice to Dier and many are fuming – claiming Rice is better than Dier and that he has a future in midfield, even though he is more than adept at playing in defence.
https://twitter.com/UberWestHam/status/1341109924328333315
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