They say the respect of your peers is the ultimate in any sport and West Ham United’s Declan Rice certainly has that.
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And not just any peers, two of the finest midfield players in the country in the shape of Aston Villa talisman Jack Grealish and Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips.
Oh and a Hollywood star to boot, celebrity West Ham fanatic Ray Winstone.
Rice earns the ultimate compliment
Aston Villa, Leeds and West Ham are all enjoying fantastic seasons in their own right.
West Ham lead the way with Rice the bedrock of their bid for a Champions League place.
Villa’s Grealish has been one of the best attacking midfielders in world football. And Phillips has helped Leeds to an excellent campaign on their long-awaited return to the top flight.
But it is the West Ham ace who has won praise from both – and world famous actor and Hammers nut Winstone – following his two man of the match performances for England in World Cup qualifying.
Grealish, Phillips and Winstone just some of the long list of names raving about West Ham ace
Rice posted a picture on Instagram with his man of the match award following England’s win over Poland.
And he was showered with praise from all quarters.
Villa hero Grealish said: “What a player maaaaaaaan,” alongside an applause emoji.
Phillips added: “Serious player.”
And Winstone was clearly proud of his West Ham hero’s efforts, adding: “Masterclass,” with a Hammers emoji.
West Ham’s Rice also won praise from a host of other England stars past and present too with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins saying: “Rolls Royce.”
Back to the day job with Hammers looking to keep Champions League dream alive
It is back to the day job now for Dec and his West Ham teammates.
The Hammers travel to Wolves where a win is vital to keep the Champions League dream alive.
David Moyes’s side sit fifth in the table, two points off fourth-placed Chelsea.
If Rice continues his fine form and Moyes can keep most of his side fit and firing over the next month or so then there is no reason why West Ham can realise that dream.