Declan Rice is playing well for Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham United.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool midfielder has credited Pellegrini for developing Rice into one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.
The 20-year-old is a versatile footballer who can operate as a central defender or as a defensive midfielder.
The England international has been deployed regularly in midfield this season, and the youngster has flourished.
According to WhoScored, Rice has made 33 appearances in the Premier League for West Ham this season, scoring two goals in the process.
Redknapp has spoken highly of Rice, and has praised his manager Pellegrini for changing his position.
Redknapp said Sky Sports Premier League on Saturday afternoon (3pm, April 27, 2019): “I think one of the best decisions he (Pellegrini) has made was turning Declan Rice into a defensive midfield player because last year he played alongside you (James Collins) at centre-back. Now he has become one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.”
Praise for Mark Noble and Issa Diop
Redknapp made the aforementioned comments about Rice following West Ham’s 1-0 victory over Tottenham away from home at White Hart Lane in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Midfielder Mark Noble played well for the Hammers in the London derby and so did central defender Issa Diop, and Redknapp praised both of them.
Redknapp said on Sky Sports Premier League on Saturday afternoon (2:34pm, April 27, 2019): “I thought Mark Noble in front of the back four was exceptional today. The amount of times he got himself in the right positions, made the right passes. Diop deserved Man of the Match.”
The Ipswich Town central defender, who played with Diop at West Ham, said: “I know the lads at West Ham think the world of him. He is going to be a real good centre-half.”
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