Declan Rice has been praised as one of the best young players in the Premier League (Image: GETTY )
That’s according to Rice’s team-mate, Manuel Lanzini.
Rice has been one West Ham’s best players this season, producing standout performances - and at just 20 years old, Irons fans are excited about his future.
Against Newcastle at the weekend he scored his second goal for the club, having scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Arsenal earlier this season.
The 20-year-old, though, has been linked with moves to London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea, but West Ham are confident they can keep their man.
And Lanzini, who recently returned to the West Ham starting lineup following a year out with a cruciate ligament injury, thinks Rice can be as good as one of his old international team-mates, Mascherano.
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Declan Rice changed his international allegiance from Irish to English earlier this season (Image: GETTY )
“He is 20 and I think Declan needs to continue like this,” the Argentine added.
"If he stays focused and I think he can be better than Mascherano.”
West Ham come up against relegation candidates Cardiff City and Huddersfield in their next two games, as Manuel Pellegrini’s men bid to finish in a Europa League spot.