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West Ham star Declan Rice explains what he’s trying to add to his game

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West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice has explained that he’s looking to add to the attacking side of his game.

The 21-year-old is currently away on international duty with the Three Lions and was part of the side that beat the world’s number one ranked side Belgium at the weekend.

Gareth Southgate’s England beat Belgium 2-1 at Wembley Stadium in a Nations League fixture and it looks like the West Ham man has forced his way into a best XI.

Rice is already a talisman in the West Ham team under manager David Moyes and is hoping to make the same impact for his country.

The London-born star is an all-action central midfielder that is mostly recognised for the defensive work he does in front of the back four, as he helps to break up play and sniff out danger.

He’s not been much of an attacking threat during his short career so far, but there are signs in the last couple of months that he’s adding to it.

The midfielder scored a thunderous goal against Watford towards the end of last season and is becoming more willing to shoot, plus he’s made some eye-catching dribbles up the pitch in recent games for club and country.

“It’s happened a couple of times at my club where I’ve intercepted the ball and the space is in front of me to go and I believe in my ability to go,” Rice said, as, quoted by the Times.

“I see the space and I’ve seen Marcus [Rashford] on the inside and I thought, ‘Do you know what, keep going, there’s no point turning back,’ and Marcus had a great shot out of it and was unlucky not to score. It’s definitely something I’ve been trying to add to my game, breaking forward.”

England v Belgium - UEFA Nations League
(Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)

TBR’s View:

Despite being aged just 21, Rice already looks a natural born leader on the pitch for West Ham and England supporters are starting to see a glimpse of that now.

He looks a nailed-on member in the squad for next year’s European Championships and right now he’s surely in possession of a starting spot in the centre of the park alongside Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson.

Rice already looks quite the player as a midfield enforcer, but could elevate his game to new heights if he can start chipping in with more going forward and it’s beginning to tell the work he’s putting in.