Declan Rice has become a key player at West Ham, with the skipper featuring 36 times in the top flight and making five goal contributions. And the 23-year-old has opened up on those he has come up against in the Premier League - including a surprising claim about Tottenham's Tanguy Ndombele.
Rice is going from strength to strength in East London and impressing for both club and country. Rice has been at West Ham since his youth career, after making the move from Chelsea in 2014.
Now the England international has opened up on some of his opponents. Featuring on Tubes and Ange’s Golf Life YouTube video, Rice took to the golf course, before talking about his career so far.
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The midfielder was asked who the best players he had faced were. He started off by naming Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool stars.
"[Kevin] De Bruyne… The way he thinks about the game, just the position he takes up… he's just constantly making you think. Same with David Silva, when he was in the Prem, he was the exact same… just a step ahead of everyone," Rice admitted.
"[Eden] Hazard when he was in the Premier League at Chelsea. He was just so agile, so quick. When I played against Thiago [Alcantara] from Liverpool last season, he's just so silky. He plays the game at his own pace."
However Rice didn't stop there and he went on to pick out a Spurs player. "This one will surprise you," he said. "He gets slammed and hammered a little bit. It’s going to take you back, but [Tanguy] Ndombele, who was at Spurs.
"The perception of him, it shouldn’t be what it is because I tell you now, he is one of the toughest I have played against. He is top.
"Just a street footballer on the football pitch. He takes the ball anywhere, little flicks and tricks. Like he doesn’t care. He does everything so confidently," the Hammers man continued.
Tubes then pointed out that the Frenchman seemed to get some criticism, because he seemed like he didn't care. Rice then responded, "With players like that, you just have to let them play.
"Give them the freedom to go out and do whatever they want. When we played against Lyon in the Europa League, he was incredible. He’s a top player."
There is no denying the skill that Ndombele has and has previously shown, during his few years at Tottenham. The French international has made 91 appearances for Spurs, but his time in north London could be coming to an end.
His last appearance in a Tottenham shirt saw him leave the pitch in a stadium full of boos, as he slowly walked across the field after being substituted when his side were losing 1-0 against Middlesbrough. This came after the midfielder was already struggling at Spurs.
Ndombele failed to secure regular game time after Antonio Conte's arrival and the battle would only be even tougher this season, with a number of new arrivals. Although it hasn't been made verbally clear, the 25-year-old is one of four players Conte has left out of pre-season this summer.
This came after Ndombele returned to Hotspur Way, after completing his loan spell at Lyon. His time away wasn't as successful as he would've hoped, making 11 Ligue 1 appearances and registering just two assists.
Rice's admission indicates the threat that the 25-year-old could bring to the Tottenham side and how tough he does make it for opponents. This aspect does make him a solid member of a squad. But with his recent struggles, it seems that it would be best for all parties if the Frenchman made a permanent move away this summer.
The clock is ticking for a deal to be completed, but Ndombele has been linked with clubs across the world, including a reunion with Jose Mourinho at Roma. However, nothing concrete seems to have yet been confirmed.
The other issue with moving the midfielder on is the price. Ndombele moved to Spurs as the club's record signing and they won't want to let him go for pennies, but are going to have to accept a significant loss. It is a waiting game to see what happens with Ndombele, as the 2022/23 season begins and there are just three weeks left before transfer window deadline day.
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