David Moyes hopes Declan Rice can continue performing brilliantly for West Ham United and England after a stellar rise over the past two seasons, via quotes by football.london.
Rice made his 166th Irons outing against Arsenal last week as he captained the Hammers at the Emirates Stadium. The 22-year-old has made 21 of his appearances so far this season in all competitions, having only sat out their two Carabao Cup plus two Europa League ties.
He is also the only West Ham outfield player to have featured for all 1,530-minutes of their Premier League term. As has goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, ahead of Tomas Soucek (1,519).
Rice has begun to hone his trade more toward a box-to-box role for West Ham and England this year, as well. He thrived in an all-action role for the Three Lions on route to the Euro 2020 final, and has offered three of his eight goals in claret-and-blue so far this season.
The London-born anchor had never offered more than two in a single campaign before the 2021/22 term. He has also matched his personal-best return of three assists set in ‘19/20.
Moyes shares West Ham and England hope for Rice
Rice has delighted Moyes with how the midfielder has kept improving his displays for West Ham and England. The Scot notes how some questioned the youngster’s place in the Three Lions fold when he made his debut in 2019, but has fully justified the 27-caps to his name.
“We’ve all seen his improvement playing for England,” Moyes said. “Two-years ago people questioned whether he’d be in the team. Nobody is a stick-on for any team or country, but I certainly do think Declan has done a brilliant job and long may that continue.”
Rice had to pull out of the last England squad in November after becoming unwell. It was the first time since Gareth Southgate first called the West Ham product up in 2019 that he was without the midfielder for an international fixture, either competitive or a friendly.
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