Michael Owen says Declan Rice shows “signs of Steven Gerrard.”
The West Ham midfielder has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s leading midfielders, as well as a regular with England.
Constantly linked with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, the 23-year-old has developed his game under David Moyes’ watch amid West Ham’s journey into European competition.
With England also fighting for major honours, some of the doubts about Rice’s ability to add more to the team than merely a defensive presence have surely faded after such an impressive run in the side during the Euro 2020 campaign.
“I think that sitting midfield role is a very disciplined role, I played with one of the best in terms of Steven Gerrard,” Owen told Channel 4 ahead of the defeat to Hungary at the Puskas Arena.
“But he’s actually a bit too good to sit and be disciplined. He’s almost better than a sitting midfielder. But he does show signs of a Steven Gerrard.
“Big, powerful, a very good passer of the ball so he’s actually not just a sitting midfielder anymore. He breaks the game up so well, now he’s adding those long runs to his game.
“He’s becoming a more all-round player.”
