CHELSEA target Declan Rice is studying videos of icons Patrick Vieira and Yaya Toure to help him upgrade from anchorman to complete midfielder.
Despite West Ham boss David Moyes already rating the England star at “far, far more” than £100million, Rice “wants to show I can be exciting”.
West Ham star Declan Rice, 22, aims to prove to the country he is more than just a holding midfielderCredit: PA:Press Association
Man City legend Yaya Toure is one of the modern greats in midfieldCredit: Getty – Contributor
Patrick Vieira was the driving force of Arsenal’s Invincibles in 2003-04Credit: AFP – Getty
Rice was again a stand-out performer, alongside fellow Euro 2021 hopeful Jesse Lingard, as the Hammers went fifth with Monday’s 2-0 defeat of Leeds.
And the 22-year-old told Sky Sports: “I think a lot of people see me as a simple, basic player who gets it, gives it and protects the back four.
“I know, my team-mates know and the manager knows what I’ve got in my locker.
“I can take the ball forward. I have great athleticism.’
“I’ve been watching the top players over the years, the Yaya Toures, the Vieiras.
“There’s a long way to go to get to that level.
“But the way they used to carry the ball up the pitch and drive their teams forward is something I have been trying to learn and add to my game.”
Rice and Tomas Soucek provided a perfect platform for West Ham to hit Leeds on the break, loan stars Lingard and Craig Dawson netting the decisive goals
That prompted Moyes to suggest Hammers’ co-owner David Sullivan had under-valued Rice at £100m, especially as three years remain on his contract.
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The ex-Manchester United manager said: “I have watched the prices of some players who have gone to clubs recently and they could not lace Declan Rice’s boots.
“Do we need the Champions League to keep Declan? No, because Declan is under contract first and foremost, so he can’t go anywhere no matter what.
“I keep saying it and I hope people know that when I say something, I mean it.”
West Ham vs Leeds as it happened
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
