Manuel Lanzini makes incredibly bold Declan Rice claim | OneFootball

Manuel Lanzini has claimed that West Ham youngster Declan Rice has the potential to be “better than Javier Mascherano”.

No pressure then.

Rice burst on to the scene earlier this season and has since gone on to become one of the Hammers most important players at the base of their midfield.

The 20-year-old is likely to earn his first England call-up this week and Lanzini has made the bold claim that his club partner could go on to be even better than his former international colleague.

“Declan, for me, is the hero of the team,” Lanzini said.

“He is a very young player, but it is as if he has played 200 games. He is amazing.

“I like to play with him because he has good touch, he has good recovery, I think he is one of the best players in the Premier League.

“He is [like Mascherano]. I played with Mascherano and he is a very good player. He is 20 and I think Declan needs to continue like this, if he stays focused and I think he can be better than Mascherano.”