Speaking to the SportBible, Sam Allardyce has been speaking about West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.
Rice has been one of the Premier League’s best players this season, and Allardyce is seemingly a big admirer of the England international.
Indeed, the former Hammers boss has had nothing but good things to say about Rice, but he also had praise for the way he’s been coached.
Allardyce thinks that moving Rice into the midfield from the defence was an inspired move, and it was actually a move made by Manuel Pellegrini.
What’s been said?
Allardyce spoke about Rice.
“He’s a two in one player. He can play centre midfielder but can slot in at centre-half as well,” Big Sam said.
“He started as a centre-half at West Ham and actually made his debut in the first team as a centre-back. Then the genius move of moving him into midfield fit him like a glove, as they say.
“He’s an outstanding midfield player. He not only creates and assists but also brings huge qualities in terms of the defensive side of things. If you’re struggling in defence, and have injuries at centre-back, he easily slots into that position.”
Still benefitting them
Pellegrini didn’t leave behind much of a legacy at West Ham, but his decision to move Rice into the midfield is still benefitting them to this day.
Rice has blossomed into one of the best holding midfielders in the Premier League, and if it weren’t for Pellegrini, he may never have stepped out of the defence.
Rice would probably have been a brilliant centre-back in any case, but it’s hard to imagine him playing anywhere but the heart of the midfield these days.
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