Newcastle fullback Kieran Trippier says he rates West Ham captain Declan Rice above Arsenal’s Thomas Partey and Manchester United’s Casemiro.
Trippier has actually played alongside Partey at Atletico Madrid and when asked who was the better player between the Gunners star and Rice, Trippier replied:
“Declan… Declan’s unbelievable. I don’t know if you watched the game the other day when we [Newcastle] played West Ham, just his intelligence, the way he breaks up play, how he travels with it, powerful, unbelievable.”
The England international was then asked if he also rated Rice above Casemiro, and he responded by saying:
“Yeah. As defenders you appreciate like me you appreciate the likes of Michael Carrick or Declan, it makes your job easier, they’re just mopping everything up. Don’t get me wrong, Casemiro, the trophies he’s won, the Champions Leagues, of course, he’s a world-class player, but if you’re talking right now, Dec is incredible, he’s got the age as well.”
It’s certainly a ringing endorsement of Rice’s abilities and Hammers supporters on Twitter were very much echoing Trippier’s words:
He's right. Rice is currently the best holding midfielder in the world.
— # 🏆 14 (@AllAFC1) February 7, 2023
He's a colossus of a player
— Chunky Monkey (@ChunkyMunkey74) February 7, 2023
Best in the world in that position .. and has more to offer 80-120m Bargin of life never mind the decade !!
— ⚒Don Raphael⚒💯 (@Reeko007) February 8, 2023
Will be sad seeing him in another shirt.
— Leigh Butler (@leighbutler) February 8, 2023
He is better,
— Carl Mcfarlane (@CarlMcfarlane1) February 8, 2023
✊💪👊
— Hammer Ed ⚒ (@HammerE73132426) February 8, 2023
100% better
— Clark Whitham (@clark_whitham) February 8, 2023
Ironically, both Arsenal and Manchester United have been tipped as potential suitors for Rice, along with Chelsea, but West Ham won’t let the player leave on the cheap.
Reports suggest that the Irons rejected a £100m bid for the midfielder last year, and they have set an asking price of around £120m (plus add-ons) for next summer. We shall see if a club is prepared to match that figure.
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