Declan Rice has told England’s official YouTube account that Jesse Lingard would make ‘sly comments’ towards him if he beats him in West Ham training.
The West Ham powerhouse shared that if he is involved in a ‘small-sided’ game against Lingard then it’s always ‘proper’ competitive.
And with Lingard working his magic since his January move to West Ham, it’s clearly stemming from the training sessions in East London.
Rice shared the little digs Lingard would make at him when he beats him in West Ham training.
“I have got Jesse at the moment at West Ham,” said Rice. “If he beats me in a small-sided game and we are on the opposite team then he’ll come up to me and make sly comments.
“He will say ‘did you train today?’ Or ‘Was you training?’. I am just biting my tongue. I want to say something back.
“But if I say something back then he will say ‘waheeeey, I got ya’, so the competition is proper here (with England) and at the club.
“You never want to lose. You just want to win everyday.”
For the first time this season, West Ham fans will get to see Lingard in action as they host Southampton on the final day of a fruitful campaign.
But from the perspective of the West Ham supporters, they will be hoping it’s not the last time they see Lingard donning their colours on their turf.
The Hammers will be booking a European tour next term and many in East London will be hoping Lingard will join them.
However, a lot will depend on whether Manchester United want to sell, he wants to leave or whether any other side will spoil West Ham’s chances of signing him.
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