Tony Carr has told The Sun that Declan Rice has ‘some way to go’ to be a complete player, but is on course to replicate Frank Lampard and be West Ham United’s all-action enforcer.
Lampard proved himself as one of the Premier League’s best goalscoring midfielders over an illustrious career. He remains sixth in the all-time standings with 177 goals, two more than fellow Hall of Fame inductee Thierry Henry and just one less than Harry Kane, so far.
Carr oversaw Lampard and Rice’s early steps whilst youth director at West Ham and sees many similarities between them. But he also feels the current Hammers vice-captain’s lack of goals is the main aspect that is preventing him from reaching the world-class bracket.
“There are many similarities between Frank and Dec,” Carr said. “Passing, vision, passion, dedication and fitness, and humility – they both have it in abundance. The only thing missing for Declan is Frank would score 20 goals a season.
“But to be a true all-round midfielder, Dec has to chip in with at least eight to ten [goals] every campaign. He has some way to go, but is heading in the same direction as Frank. It’s a target to emulate Frank’s achievements and become a legend in his own right.”
Rice yet to unlock goalscoring touch in the Premier League for West Ham
Rice has so far scored just six goals in 159 career Premier League appearances, along with eight assists. His single-season high also remains the two struck in 2018/19 and again last term. While the 23-year-old’s four assists thus far this term is a single-season high to date.
David Moyes has afforded Rice greater chances to push up the pitch and offer West Ham a box-to-box presence this term. It is a role the England international requested at the start of the season as the 27-cap midfielder is confident he ‘can definitely start to score more’.
But Rice is yet to unlock a frequent goalscoring touch for West Ham in the Premier League. Instead, he is often running the show at the London Stadium with driving runs through the centre. He also moves the ball magnificently and protects the defence at a very high level.
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