Declan Rice has told the Daily Mail the he realised after the Euro 2020 final with England this summer that he can be an ‘unstoppable’ force for West Ham United and his country.
The 22-year-old helped the Three Lions reach their first international final since the 1966 World Cup back in July. Gareth Southgate started Rice in all seven of England’s fixtures, including the Wembley showdown with eventual winners on penalties, Italy.
Pundits gushed with praise for Rice’s performances during the competition as he shone as the anchor beside Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips. The West Ham product was always there to mop up possession, protect the defence and linked England’s forward play wonderfully.
Rice has carried his England successes back to east London, too, with a great season so far with West Ham. Over his 23 appearances in all competitions, he has offered three goals and three assists. He had never scored more than two goals during a single term before.
England star rice pinpoints Euro 2020 as catalyst to strong West Ham season
Rice looks back on the Euro 2020 final with England as the catalyst for his strong season at West Ham. Now, the midfielder believes he can be unstoppable for his club and country.
“After I played in the final and got a lot of praise,” Rice said. “I thought if I can do this on a European stage with no nerves, then I can do it easily in the Premier League.
“The first game at Newcastle. We were 2-1 down at half-time, and I’d only had two-weeks of pre-season and played one game.
“I was a bit rusty and I remember [the] second-half just taking off. I felt unstoppable. Doing things with the ball, dribbling past players, starting attacks, running past people. It felt like everything fell into place.
“What I had done in the final, it felt like it just clicked in that first game at Newcastle. And I just felt from there that if I carry on like this, I don’t feel that anyone – when I am on the game – can stop me when I run past people and show my strength.”
Even rival fans love what Rice is showing this season
Even some rival fans have loved what Rice has shown for West Ham so far this season. A host flocked to social media after the England ace excelled in the Irons’ win over Chelsea.
Rice screened the Hammers backline to perfection for much of the London Stadium affair at the start of the month. But he has also taken on a greater box-to-box role under David Moyes. The change has given him the freedom to stride forward and show his end threat.
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