West Ham United captain Declan Rice has heaped reward on England midfield accomplice Jude Bellingham, claiming he performs past his 19 years of age and is ‘the way forward for English soccer’.
The duo have change into common fixtures in Gareth Southgate’s facet within the final 12 months, although the Three Lions’ kind has noticeably dipped in that point and the 2 can typically be overrun.
However they had been each spectacular in Monday’s 3-3 draw towards Germany at Wembley, and talking to reporters post-match, Rice couldn’t disguise his admiration for Bellingham.
“Even little issues, as a 19 year-old you are scared to speak to the referee however he is within the referee’s face demanding solutions, demanding choices and he leaves himself on the pitch continuously,” Rice stated.
“He is 19 however he is acquired the physique of a 28-year-old, he is a person. He thinks like a person, performs like a person and exhibits persona and character. You may see it when he performs for Dortmund, how he get across the pitch. He is the way forward for English soccer to return for the subsequent 15 years if he desires to be.”
Rice added that he’s hopeful of constructing his relationship on the pitch with Bellingham on the World Cup as he enjoys enjoying with him.
He continued: “I hope so. We have so many good gamers, youthful gamers even coming by way of now, present gamers within the squad that are not right here,
“Each place is up for grabs however each time I play with Jude we’re constructing that connection and I say to him ‘you go and bomb on and do your attacking stuff and I will sit right here and defend for you’. So we’re getting that good connection, he is nice to play with.
“High lad as effectively, actually pushes you on the pitch. We push one another on and it is a privilege to play subsequent to him. I do not assume I’ve seen anybody pretty much as good as he’s for 19. I take a look at loads of 19 year-olds, whether or not it is at a membership, around the globe, across the nation, to have the entire package deal it is a exhausting factor to have and I really feel like he is acquired that.”
90min revealed on Wednesday that Actual Madrid are stepping up their efforts to signal Bellingham from Dortmund, although he’s unlikely to decide on his future till after the World Cup.
