Teddy Sheringham likens ‘unbelievable’ Declan Rice to Steven Gerrard

Former West Ham striker Teddy Sheringham has compared Declan Rice to former Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. 

He believes Rice is capable of ‘eating up ground’ in the same way that Gerrard did and says the 23-year-old’s ‘passing ability’, ‘knowledge of the game’ and ‘desire to improve’ will see him succeed at the top level. 

As a result, Sheringham believes Rice is ‘up there with the top players in the world’ and says David Moyes should be demanding at least £160million for the England midfielder. 

Sheringham (left) believes Rice is capable of ‘eating up ground’ in the same way Gerrard did

Sheringham says Rice has what it takes to become a legend of the game and likened his talent to that of Gerrard – who became one of English football’s most influential midfielders. 

During his 17 years at Liverpool, Gerrard made 504 Premier League appearances and scored 120 top-flight goals. He also played for England more than 100 times.

Gerrard picked up numerous trophies and claimed several individual accolades – having been named in the PFA Team of the Year eight times.

Sheringham believes Rice has what it takes to follow in Gerrard’s footsteps – praising the youngster’s passing ability’, ‘knowledge of the game’ and ‘desire to improve’.   

‘I have to liken him to Steven Gerrard,’ Sheringham said to Genting Casino. ‘Not many players can eat up the ground like Declan – Gerrard used to do exactly the same, he used to overpower people in midfield.

During his 17 years at Liverpool, Gerrard (right) made 504 Premier League appearances and scored 120 top-flight goals. He also played for England more than 100 times

Gerrard (right) picked up numerous trophies and claimed several individual accolades – including being named in the PFA Team of the Year eight times

‘Add that to his passing ability, his understanding of the game, his knowledge of the game, he’s obviously getting led by Mark Noble. His desire, you can see how he loves the game and wants to get better.

‘For me, he’s up there with the top players in the world in midfield at the moment, there’s no denying that.’ 

Rice only turned 23 last month but has already established himself as a top player – having featured over 150 times for West Ham and earned 27 caps for England. 

As a result, Premier League giants Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City have all registered an interest in signing Rice during the summer transfer window. 

However, David Moyes is reluctant to let his star player leave – having previously said: ‘He’s a really important player for West Ham, he’s someone who we value greatly and you can see what he means to the team.’

When asked about his thoughts on Rice’s future at West Ham and his market valuation, Sheringham said: ‘I think [head coach David] Moyes said something about him being a £100million player, didn’t he?

‘I’d hold on to him and say, “I want more than that, this player’s unbelievable, he’s better than that. If you really want this guy you’re going to have to break the bank and show me you think of him as much as I do, because I’m not letting him go for £100m.”

‘When the best centre forward in the world was up for sale in the summer, Tottenham wanted £200m for him, the other clubs didn’t have that valuation. I’m going up to 150, 160 for Declan Rice.’  

Rice (middle) only turned 23 last month but has already established himself as a top player – having featured over 150 times for West Ham and earned 27 caps for England 

Regardless of where Rice plays his football next season, he will be eager to get his hands on some silverware.

The West Ham midfielder recently described England losing the Euro 2020 final to Italy as the ‘lowest point of my career’ and said that the Three Lions should have kept ‘more control of the ball’ at Wembley. 

Rice admitted that the England dressing room was ‘quiet’ and ‘shocked’ after the disappointing defeat, despite Gareth Southgate’s attempts to keep the players’ chins up.

However, he described  England losing the Euro 2020 final as the ‘lowest point of my career’

‘That’s my lowest point that I’ve ever felt in football,’ Rice told Gary Neville on The Overlap. ‘We’d done so well the whole summer as players, as lads, we genuinely thought it was ours to lose. 

‘That feeling. Even now I can visualise it, stood there watching the penalties. It was awful, it was horrible because we were so close to creating history. Everyone was quiet, we were out on the pitch, clapping the fans, everyone was upset.  

‘Gareth said some lovely words that we had been amazing this tournament. We made so many people proud. That’s not the last of us, we have the World Cup coming up, we can push again.

‘But even to see Italy lifting the trophy, it’s horrible. I was angry, just sad, gutted. Everyone was as well.’  

 Meanwhile, West Ham boss Moyes has tipped Rice to become England captain in the future

Nevertheless, Moyes has tipped Rice to become England captain in the future – agreeing with Sheringham by saying the 23-year-old learns a lot from Mark Noble. 

‘As an individual, he’s a really improving young man who’s gaining a lot of experience and is getting better,’ said Moyes. 

‘He learns an awful lot from Mark Noble, and I have said many times he should look at Harry Kane and Harry Maguire and all the senior players he is involved with in England and take as much from them as he can.

‘Because in the future there is no doubt he has a great chance of going on to be an England captain.

‘We are really pleased to have him and he is an impressive young man.’