Former France defender William Gallas believes West Ham United's Declan Rice is the future of the England national team but stopped short of calling him world class.
Rice started every game for Gareth Southgate's side in Qatar but was unable to help the Three Lions get past world champions France in last Saturday's 2-1 defeat in the quarter-finals.
The Hammers captain returns to east London with his reputation enhanced due to his combative performances in midfield as well as his ability to distribute the ball and keep things ticking over on the world's biggest stage.
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However, ex-Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur defender Gallas said that England are lacking a squad filled with world-class players, stating that only two of the current set-up are playing at the top level. Though he did mention Rice alongside Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham as 'the future' of the England squad who can reach world-class status.
"The question for me is simple," Gallas said speaking to Genting Casino. "Yes, the Premier League is the best league in the world, but do England have the best players? How many truly world-class players do England have? I know I will get killed for saying this, but how many do they have?
"How many world-class players played against France? I think there are only two: Harry Kane and Kyle Walker. Saka, Bellingham, [Phil] Foden, Rice, these guys are the future and with hard work and consistency they can become World Class players."
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