Kieran Trippier rates Declan Rice above Thomas Partey and Casemiro

Kieran Trippier has claimed that Declan Rice is a better player than Thomas Partey and Casemiro.

Rice has entered the final 18 months of his contract at West Ham, and is attracting interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.

Those clubs currently have Partey and Casemiro, respectively, on their books, who are widely regarded as two of the best holding midfielders in the Premier League, but Trippier thinks his England team-mate has the edge over both of them.

When asked by Rio Ferdinand to pick between Rice and Partey during an appearance on the Vibe with Five podcast, the Newcastle defender replied without hesitation: ‘Declan. Declan’s unbelievable. 

‘I don’t know if you watched the game the other day when we played West Ham, but just his intelligence, the way he breaks up play and how he travels with it, and how powerful he is. Unbelievable, probably one of the best in the world at what he does.

Trippier thinks Rice is one of the best holding midfielders in world football

Trippier thinks Rice deserves to be viewed as a better player than Thomas Partey and Casemiro

Trippier was then quizzed on whether he’d take Rice over Casemiro. Once more, his answer was emphatic, as he simply said: ‘Yeah’.

His straightforward response prompted a couple of chuckles on the podcast, but Trippier then went into further detail, and explained how only players like himself and Ferdinand truly understand the value of Rice’s role in a team.  

‘As defenders like me or yourself, you appreciate a Michael Carrick, or what Declan does,’ Trippier said, addressing Ferdinand.

‘So it makes your job easier when they’re just mopping everything up. Don’t get me wrong, Casemiro, the trophies he’s won, the Champions Leagues, he’s a world-class player, but if you’re talking right now, Decs is incredible.’

Arsenal are currently on course to win their first league title in 19 years, and Partey has played a key role in their bid for silverware, but the Gunners are still keen to strengthen their midfield this summer and have identified Rice as their number one target.

United have also held a long-term interest in Rice, and reportedly had a £100m bid rejected by West Ham last summer for the midfielder.

Rice is expected to leave the Hammers at the end of the season to pursue his dream of playing Champions League football, but David Moyes has warned that it will take a British transfer record fee for the club to allow him to move on, with the east London outfit reportedly wanting £120m plus add-ons.