Liverpool legend Ian Rush has said that West Ham’s Declan Rice reminds him of Man City defender John Stones.
The 19-year-old has had an excellent season for West Ham, where he has started 16 of their 19 Premier League games this season.
Despite coming through the ranks as a central defender, Rice has been utilised by Manuel Pellegrini in a defensive midfield role, a role he has taken to like a duck to water.
However, having watched Rice in action against Southampton on Thursday evening, Liverpool legend Ian Rush reckons that he would be better utilised back in his more familiar role as a centre-back, saying that he reminds him of John Stones.
“He reminds me of John Stones, when he was Everton,” Rush told BeIn Sports.
“I think Rice is a better player, at that age. Whether England or Ireland, it’s up to him to decide. He has come on a lot. For me, he’s a centre-back. He can play the holding midfield role as well.
“To be at his best, for me he’s a ball-playing centre-half.”