Things could not be going much better in the career of West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice right now.
Remembering when Diego Maradona cheered West Ham on to FA Cup glory
And Arsenal star Eddie Nketiah says he is delighted for his former England Under 21 teammate.
Rice is the first name on West Ham’s team sheet and the likes of Jamie Carragher insist the same can be said for Gareth Southgate’s England selections too (TBR).
The rise and rise of Rice
One of the best defensive midfield players in the Premier League and Europe, Rice has amassed 120 appearances for West Ham already at the tender age of 21.
Meanwhile over at West Ham’s London rivals Arsenal, things are not going so well for Nketiah.
The striker has made just one Premier League start for the Gunners so far this season.
He has scored one goal too – ironically a late winner against West Ham back in September.
Nketiah happy for old teammate Rice
Nketiah and Rice used to be teammates when playing in Chelsea’s youth system.
Rather than be jealous of Rice’s meteoric rise, though, Nketiah has revealed he is delighted for the West Ham ace and other former England Under 21 teammates such as Mason Mount.
“It puts a smile on my face seeing Declan and Mase playing together,” Nketiah told Alan Shearer at The Athletic.
“We were all playing for Chelsea under-10s; you couldn’t separate those two.
“It’s great to see kids you’ve grown up with doing well and it motivates me to keep going and keep pushing. Keep doing that, keep working hard and you can play at that level.
“It’s possible. It doesn’t matter how young you are, Gareth will give you that opportunity.”
Reunion in future not beyond the realms of possibility
If Nketiah continues to struggle for game time with the Gunners, he could be a good fit for a move to West Ham in the future.
It wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility and come the summer his contract will only have a year left to run.
So who knows perhaps Rice and Nketiah will be teammates again at club level one day.
New Wilshere claim about Moyes is bad news for West Ham duo
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
