Stuart Pearce has told talkSPORT that Declan Rice is ‘slightly’ better than Roy Keane was at the same sage, and backs the West Ham midfielder to go as far in the game as he wants.
Pearce played with Keane at Nottingham Forest between 1990 to 1993 before the Irishman joined Manchester United. He saw first-hand as Keane established his place in the English game after joining Forest from Cobh Ramblers at 19-years-old.
Rice, 22, is now at the stage of his domestic career as Keane was when he moved to Old Trafford. And Pearce feels the 27-cap England international has so far shown slightly more than the would-be seven-time Premier League champion.
Rice has so far made 158 first-team appearances for West Ham since his senior debut at 18 under Slaven Bilic. Of those, 92 have come with David Moyes at the helm, including 13 in all competitions this season. Most recently as he scored in a 4-1 win at Aston Villa on Sunday.
Pearce explains Rice discussions on bench at Aston Villa
Rice restored West Ham’s lead at Aston Villa after Ollie Watkins’ response to Ben Johnson’s opener. He has scored three of his eight career goals so far this season, and assisted his ninth – third this term – at Villa Park, as well, after finding Johnson in the seventh-minute.
Pearce has now shared the discussion he held with fellow assistant Billy McKinlay over Rice on the West Ham bench. While backing the midfielder to go far in his still-young career.
“As far as he wants,” Pearce said. “Every game he takes the field in, the expectation is he should be the best player. He’s got the tools to do that, he’s got the stature to do it, he’s got everything. He’s an absolute pleasure to work with, he drives the midfield.
“I was sat next to Billy McKinlay at the weekend, and he asked if he was as good as Roy Keane at the same age. I said: ‘do you know what, I think he might be slightly better.’
“Whether he’ll have the career that Roy had… it’s all there for him though. He’s got to stay fit, keep learning, keep progressing. This season, we’re fortunate that he’s added a couple of goals to his game, which I always thought he had the ability to do. He drives past people, he breaks things up, he’s just an all-round midfielder.”
Rice set out intentions to offer West Ham a greater box-to-box threat earlier this term and has so far delivered. He is taking charge of matches from the engine room and adding more goals and assists, too. Traits that will take the £240k-a-month technician far in the game.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
