Joe Cole likens Declan Rice to Steven Gerrard as pundit lavishes praise on West Ham star and insists ‘the sky is the limit’ for in-form midfielder
- Joe Cole has likened West Ham midfielder Declan Rice to Steven Gerrard
- Rice, 22, has impressed for the Hammers over the course of the past year
- His form has seen him linked with mega-money moves to United and Chelsea
- Television pundit Cole believes ‘the sky is the limit’ for the England international
Joe Cole has likened Declan Rice to Steven Gerrard, as the ex-Chelsea star became the latest pundit to laud the displays of the West Ham star by insisting ‘the sky is the limit’ for the midfielder.
Rice, 22, has gone from strength to strength for the Hammers over the past 12 months and has spearheaded David Moyes’ side’s charge up the Premier League table, where they sit in third after 11 league games.
This week, Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle claimed that Rice is currently the top flight’s best player, and former Irons starlet Cole has echoed the sentiments of his punditry colleague.
Joe Cole has compared Declan Rice (R) to Steven Gerrard (L) as he heaped praise on the star
West Ham captain Rice has emerged as a crucial member of the West Ham and England sides
‘If Glenn said [Rice is the best player in the league], then it’s true,’ Cole told talkSPORT. ‘He’s the God.
‘I’ve watched Declan develop over the years. He’s a little bit like – and I don’t want to put this kind of pressure on him – but he’s a little bit like how Stevie G [Gerrard] developed at Liverpool, where he just kept adding things to his game and adding things, and adding things.’
Cole believes that Rice’s ability to get on the scoresheet has taken his game to another level, and ‘the sky is the limit’ for the England international.
‘Declan’s added goals to his game now with breaking from midfield with that power, and he’s hitting the target and scoring goals,’ he added.
Former Hammers starlet Cole said ‘the sky is the limit’ for the West Ham and England star
West Ham believe they can build for the future with Rice and will not entertain any bids
‘The sky is the limit for the lad – he really is a top, top player.’
Rice’s future has been subject to intense speculation in recent months, with Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly interested in the midfielder valued at over £100million.
The Hammers, though, believe they can transform into a ‘real force’ in the Premier League by keeping hold of their star man, with reports suggesting that they will not entertain any bids for the midfielder.
West Ham are intent on building their future around the 22-year-old and feel they can regularly challenge for Europe with him in their side, a report from The Sun claims.