West Ham have won three games on the bounce to rise up the Premier League table.
Wins over Newcastle United, Cardiff City and Crystal Palace have propelled West Ham away from the relegation zone.
And one man that has been excellent in all three games is Declan Rice.
West Ham fans are growing used to the 19-year-old sensation turning in man of the match performances every week now.
And his comments from last week, before the two home victories, show exactly why he can take West Ham to another level and go on to captain the side.
Declan Rice calls for nine points
Last week, after the Hammers had beaten Newcastle, Rice revealed the target was nine points in the week.
In an interview with whufc.com, Rice said: “Saturday was a special start to this next run of games. We have got Cardiff and then Palace and we have got to look at it as a chance to get nine points.”
It was an optimistic call considering West Ham had not won successive Premier League matches since January 2017.
And furthermore, the last time the Hammers won three in a row in the league – scoring three goals in each match – was 1982.
But Rice’s belief was a major factor in delivering three consecutive triumphs for the East London boys.
Future West Ham captain
To hear this from such a young midfielder is refreshing for West Ham fans.
Rice plays and speaks with maturity beyond his years and how he has not been rewarded with a lucrative contract – that reflects his importance to the team – is beyond me.
The thrice-capped Republic of Ireland international plays with passion and he is already one of West Ham’s best players, despite his young age.
The talented teenager is a future West Ham captain in the making. Mark Noble should be handing the baton over to Rice in a couple of years.
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