Declan Rice and Jack Wilshere are competing for a spot in West Ham United’s midfield.
Wilshere joined West Ham last year, and has fallen behind Rice in the pecking order for places in midfield.
However, Rice is still honoured to train with the former Arsenal man, as he is a player who he has always looked up to.
“Me and Jack has been a surprise friendship. We get on so well, we’re like best friends really. I go round to his house and we go for coffee together,” Rice said.
“He’s been hindered by injuries, if you look at his career, but his quality cannot be taken away from him. He’s a top player and even to be training with him is crazy because I grew up watching Jack Wilshere putting in performances on Match of the Day and against Lionel Messi in the Champions League in 2010, when he was only a kid. Sometimes I have to pinch myself.
“Jack has been great for me as have the other senior lads in the side.”
Wilshere was given a run of games for West Ham at the start of the season, but has lost his place again now.
The England international faces a real battle to turn his time at West Ham into a success, after what has been a difficult time at the London Stadium so far.
Wilshere has struggled badly with injury for the Hammers, and when he has been fit his form has not always been impressive.
It seems almost certain that Rice will feature in West Ham’s next match, but whether Wilshere will make it on to the pitch remains to be seen.
The Hammers return to action after the international break, when they take on Everton.
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