Declan Rice has been the standout performer at West Ham this season while they enjoy one of their best ever seasons under David Moyes.
That is the verdict from Hammers legend Marlon Harewood, who was over the moon to talk about his old club with brimming positivity.
And it is easy to see why after a fantastic campaign from the east London club, who have made incredible strides in the last decade.
A decade ago in 2012, West Ham were in the Championship and were looking in all kinds of trouble and there have been some dark times over that period.
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But in the past two years, Moyes has led the Hammers to unchartered territory and they stand on the brink of finishing in the top four.
For many neutral fans this has been a shock to the system but for those watching closely, it is just what they have deserved.
Speaking at the London Football Awards, Harewood was full of praise for Rice in particular, who landed the Men’s Best Player of the Year prize.
He told the Mirror: “They have all been performing, you can talk about Jarrod Bowen, on the brink of an England call-up, Declan Rice, Michail Antonio, the whole back four… Kurt Zouma and Craig Dawson have been fantastic. They have all been unbelievable.
“We have to speak about Declan because he has been a different level of late, he has been quality this year.
“So I would say he has been the standout this season. I don’t think he has missed a game, 90 minutes every week. He has been absolutely phenomenal.”
But while praise for Rice can be rightly justified, there is a worry at West Ham that the 23-year-old could look to leave this summer.
There is strong interest in his services from Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea and Champions League football looks a must to stand any chance of keeping hold of the midfielder.
When asked about his desire to test himself at the top, Rice told the Evening Standard : “It is as urgent as possible. I feel like, not only for me, that’s for every young player as well.
“We are really close with West Ham at the minute and last season it was gutting to lose out on it but we are pushing. We’ll keep going.
"Champions League is a big aim of mine and hopefully one day I can play in it and do well.
“I feel like I am one of the established top players around the world. I am only 23, so I am still young — that’s what I mean in that sense — but in terms of my playing ability and the way I’ve performed consistently.”
But while Rice might feel he deserves to play in the Champions League, Harewood believes that the whole West Ham squad have earned the right to test themselves at the top.
He added: “It would be a different level [to get top four], literally testament to all the lads for all the works they’ve put in.
“It has been a long time coming, they have got some top players there and they have had that bit of luck to be in their current situation. It is great to watch, hopefully they can push on.”
