West Ham United’s Declan Rice has started 28 Premier League games this season and could make his England debut against the Czech Republic.
Tony Cascarino admits he is a huge fan of West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, and has even compared the youngster to his former Republic of Ireland teammate Paul McGrath while speaking to the Times.
Rice forced his way into West Ham’s first-team plans last season, making a smattering of appearances at centre-back. But he has exploded since Manuel Pellegrini took over at the London Stadium.
At the age of just 20, the affable wonder-kid has started 28 Premier League games this campaign and looks set to make his England debut against the Czech Republic on Friday, having chosen to represent the Three Lions despite playing for Ireland at youth level.
Cascarino believes England and West Ham could have a star on their hands, claiming that Rice is better than Tottenham counterpart Eric Dier and potentially the second coming of McGrath.
“He looks like a veteran of 300 league appearances. He is so composed, a master of simplicity who sits in front of the back four and refuses to give the ball away. He’s better than Eric Dier, who does a similar job for Tottenham,” said Cascarino, who played alongside McGrath for two years at Aston Villa.
“He reminds me of Paul McGrath, my old Ireland teammate, in that he makes playing in both positions look so easy. Declan never gets flustered, even in the big games.”
McGrath, who won 83 caps for the Republic of Ireland, is one of the country’s best ever footballers, although it is telling that he played at centre-half.
There is a feeling that Rice will eventually mature into a wonderful defender after he hones his trade in a more advanced role.
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