Young West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice has hailed Liverpool stalwart Fabinho as the best defensive midfielder in the world.
Since joining the Reds last summer, the Brazilian has been nothing short of revolutionary as he was the player to finally step into the shoes of Javier Mascherano.
In truth, Fabinho likes the feel of Xabo Alonso’s shoes too – as the Brazilian seems to ooze in class in a way that Mascherano didn’t.
So far this season, the Brazilian has made himself un-droppable in the eyes of the manager. You simply couldn’t throw another man in his place and for it not to be a downgrade.
Rice believes that you couldn’t play another man in the world in Fabinho’s place without it being a downgrade. “He’s adapted to the Premier League really quickly,” he’s quoted as saying by the Daily Star.
“He’s strong and powerful. He sees a pass, reads the game well. I’ve got to say [he’s the best defensive midfielder in the world].”
It’s never a bad thing when fellow professionals gush over one of our players, and this time he’s absolutely spot on.
Even Gary Neville, a sworn rival of all things Liverpool, has admitted that Fab is the best in his position in the Premier League.
The former Manchester United man seems to suggest he’s on par with the likes of Sergio Busquets, as per this interview via the Metro, but that’s not bad company to be in.