Former Premier League player and talkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara has claimed that Declan Rice is ‘better than’ Jordan Henderson and believes the West Ham United midfielder ‘can do everything’ that the Liverpool captain can.
There is expected to be a number of top clubs expressing interest in the Hammers star come the summer as he continues to perform well in the Premier League and on the European stage in the Europa League.
“He gets in the Liverpool team. Come on! He’s better than Henderson,” O’Hara told talkSPORT (via Rousing The Kop).
“I know he’s won more, and I know he’s a great captain for Liverpool, but is he better than Declan Rice?
“Rice can do everything that Henderson can do.”
These comments are slightly harsh on Hendo.
He’s been a superb captain for us as O’Hara rightly pointed out and although some may disagree, when our No. 14 isn’t in the starting XI, we lack intensity at times.
Liverpool may very well be one of the teams interesting in signing Rice due to the fact that our midfield options are beginning to age, though.
James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are all now the wrong side of 30 years of age and our current defensive midfielder Fabinho is 28.
Although all of those players are still performing well and, other than Milner, are showing no signs of ageing, a move for a young and established English international is certainly appealing.
Former Chelsea youth player Rice is just 23-years-old but the way he performs would have you thinking he’s been a regular starter in the English top-flight for 10 years.
West Ham fans will be concerned by the prospect of losing their No. 41, but if they can manage to finish in the top-four this season, or win the Europa League, he may be tempted to remain at the London Stadium for at least another season.
It’ll be interesting to see in the coming months whether any sides confirm their interest in the England international and test West Ham’s resolve with a bid – he certainly won’t come cheaply.
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One thing that Hendo can do that Rice can’t? Lift trophies.