Ray Parlour and Stuart Pearce tout West Ham star Declan Rice to replace Fernandinho at Manchester City with one caveat

Add as preferred source on Google

West Ham United have a new hero in Declan Rice but not for too much longer if it is up to Ray Parlour and Stuart Pearce.

Rice has emerged as one of the top young midfielders in European football this season.

The 20-year-old is one of the first name’s on Manuel Pellegrini’s teamsheet.

Rolls Rice

And the West Ham star is already making waves with England having switched his allegiance from Ireland.

Rice is expected to feature as England take on Holland in the Nations League semi-finals on Thursday.

It comes after the midfielder was forced to address growing speculation over his club future last week.

Rice insisted he is happy at West Ham (The Sun).

Dec a happy Hammer

But he also said he wants to play in the Champions League, a target unlikely to be reached by West Ham anytime soon.

Now talkSPORT pundit Ray Parlour – himself a boyhood West Ham fan – has delivered his own verdict on Rice’s future.

Speaking on talkSPORT on Monday morning, Parlour touted Rice as the ideal replacement for Fernandinho at Manchester City. But not just yet.

“Yea (I’ve been) very impressed (with Rice),” Parlour said on talkSPORT.

“I think he’s improved. He’s a couple of seasons away maybe (of getting a big move), he’s got to really firm up his position at West Ham. He’s done a wonderful job sitting in front (of the defence). I spoke to Tony Gale and said he’s different class at centre half as well.

Parlour and Pearce tout Rice for exit, but not just yet

“But for me you’ve got to look at Fernandinho at Manchester City. He’s not getting no younger, he’s 34-years-old so that could be a perfect fit for Declan if he keeps improving as he is. Maybe not just yet. Certainly he’s a real positive player and seems like he has got a great attitude which is very important for a youngster.”

Former West Ham player and assistant manager Stuart Pearce also feels Rice will end up at one of the Premier League’s top clubs. But Pearce says West Ham is the best place for him for the timebeing.

“Will he be good enough? If he keeps improving yes he will be good enough to go on and play for one of the bigger clubs in the Premier League there’s no doubt in my mind about that…” Pearce told talkSPORT.

“But I’m with you on that Ray, I think playing game time now is vitally important for him and he needs to be at a club where he is one of the first choices on the team sheet and get 90 minutes on a regular basis.”

West Ham fans will be hoping Rice remains a Hammer for some time yet.

But given his talent it seems highly unlikely he will follow in the footsteps of Mark Noble. Unless of course the Hammers can emulate Tottenham and become Champions League regulars themselves in the coming years.