Declan Rice has selected Manchester United and Chelsea players as two of the best midfielders in the Premier League as speculation continues to revolve over his future.
The West Ham United star has been linked with moves to both Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford following his highly impressive performances at the London Stadium.
With just a few months to go until the summer transfer window opens, it of course remains to be seen whether any of the interested parties make a move.
However, it is clear that the 23-year-old is already a huge fan of a couple of his potential teammates - particularly in the form of Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic and Manchester United’s Paul Pogba.
Asked by BT Sport to pick the top five midfielders currently playing in the Premier League, Rice replied: "Mateo Kovacic.
"Yeah he’s incredible. I think you don’t really realise how good he is until you play against him and obviously when you watch him, you appreciate the footballer that he is.
"He can take the ball in tight areas. His dribbling ability is unbelievable, can find a pass, can control games and is fairly quick as well. He’s always been a tough opponent to play against so definitely Kovacic.
"Every time I’ve played against him, even in the Euros, he’s done some stuff on the ball where I’ve thought wow he’s a top player."
His second pick was also stark having selected the Red Devils’ French playmaker Pogba - an even more intriguing selection considering that he has recently been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge.
He continued: "I'm going to say Paul Pogba.
"Again, it’s another one. He gets criticised and people criticise him and obviously say what they say what they think of him but he is probably one of the top three players I’ve played against.
"He’s just so strong, so good on the ball, will take the ball under a crazy amount of pressure, will get out of it with an unbelievable skill, knows how to play one-touch, two-touch, can play passes.
"He is so, so good and obviously you see the best of him when he plays for France. Since he’s been in the Premier League, there’s been a lot of opinions on him but he is unbelievable and a top guy as well."
Rice has two-and-a-half years remaining on his current West Ham United deal and is reportedly valued at £200million by the Hammers.
