Declan Rice praises Angelo Ogbonna after West Ham win over Leeds

Add as preferred source on Google

Declan Rice raved about his West Ham teammate Angelo Ogbonna on Friday night, when speaking to the club’s official YouTube account.

Read also: ‘Everything Moyes is against’: Some West Ham fans genuinely baffled as crazy news emerges

The Hammers earned a vital three points against Leeds at Elland Road.

And Angelo Ogbonna was magnificent once again.

The 32-year-old led by example at the back. He was aerially commanding, strong in the challenge and win every single ball that came his way.

That’s nothing new, however. The Italian has been doing that all season.

West Ham signed Ogbonna from Juventus in the summer of 2015 for around £8 million (Daily Mail).

And what an absolute bargain that has turned out to be. Oggy is surely the leading contender for the Hammer of the Year gong this season.

The 32-year-old was unlucky to miss out on the award last term, having been beaten to it by Declan Rice.

And the 21-year-old spoke very highly of his Hammers teammate, when speaking to the club’s official YouTube account:

“He’s so good. Honestly, he’s gone to another level this season. He looks like a real top, top centre-half and he’s stepped up when it’s really mattered.”

Rice is spot on. Ogbonna seems to have reached an entirely new level this season.

The 32-year-old was good last year, very good in fact. But he’s been incredible this term.

In 12 Premier League outings this season, Oggy has averaged 4.8 clearances and 2.3 successful aerial battles per game (Who Scored).

If David Moyes is to guide his team to a top six or seven finish this season, it will be vital for Ogbonna to maintain his fine form.

And there is no reason why he won’t do just that.