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‘So strong’: Declan Rice says 5ft 10 West Ham midfielder is one of the strongest he’s seen

Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
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LEICESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13: Declan Rice of West Ham United controls the ball during the Premier League match between Leicester City and West Ham United at The King Power Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Speaking on the Soccer AM YouTube channel, Declan Rice has, somewhat surprisingly, named Nikola Vlasic as one of the strongest players he’s played with.

Rice has played with some of the strongest players the Premier League has to offer. His midfield partner is Tomas Soucek, while Michail Antonio leads the line for the Hammers.

Meanwhile, he also plays alongside the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Harry Maguire and Tyrone Mings for England, but despite all of this, he claims that Vlasic is one of the top three strongest players he’s worked with.

What’s Rice said?

The midfielder spoke highly of Vlasic’s strength.

“I would put him in there, I would say that he’s one of the top three strongest players I’ve played with as well, he is so strong,” Rice said.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Nikola Vlasic of West Ham United battles for possession with Mateusz Klich of Leeds United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Leeds United at London Stadium on January 16, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Surprising

It’s a bit of a shock to hear Rice say this.

Standing at just 5 ft 10, Vlasic isn’t much of a physical abnormality, while he doesn’t have those Adama Traore-esque biceps either.

However, he does have very broad shoulders and his core strength must also be incredible.

Vlasic hasn’t played too much of a key role for West Ham so far this season, but if he’s as strong as Rice claims, he may well be an important player for David Moyes in the future.

west ham torino Nikola Vlasic
Photo by Federico Maranesi/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images