David Moyes backs one of his former players to become the captain of England in the future
Ex-West Ham United and Manchester United manager David Moyes has backed his former protege Declan Rice to take the armband for the England national team in the future. The Scotsman, who was the first to hand the 25-year-old the armband in his career, claimed that the latter gradually 'grew into' a leadership role with the Hammers.
Moyes named Rice as West Ham's club captain in 2022. The Englishman inspired his side to victory in the 2022-23 Europa Conference League before making a massive £105 million move to Arsenal.
Rice made 179 appearances under Moyes, the most of any manager so far in his career. The 61-year-old claimed that the midfielder is "very good at taking criticism on board," which could translate well to the national team too.
Speaking on William Hill's podcast Up Front with Simon Jordan, Moyes said (via DAZN):
"Declan Rice was very good at taking criticism on board. When I made him captain, I told him that he would have to take a few hits at times. He picked up a lot from Mark Noble (former West Ham captain) who was one of the old school characters in the squad."
"Initially, it wasn’t in his psyche to be a leader, but he grew into it. He became more of a leader, and I think he’ll go on to be captain of England," Moyes concluded.
Despite coming through Ireland's youth ranks and making three appearances for the senior team, Rice switched to the English national team in 2019. At just 25 years of age, he has already made 58 appearances for the Three Lions, and looks set to be an important member of the squad for years to come.
"Stil has a lot to do" - David Moyes claims that Declan Rice is not on the same level as Manchester City superstar
Former Manchester United and West Ham United coach David Moyes has claimed that Arsenal superstar Declan Rice is still not on the same level as Manchester City's Rodri.
Speaking on William Hill's Up Front with Simon Jordan podcast, Moyes said (via DAZN):
"I think Declan Rice still has a lot to do to be at the level of Rodri. Rodri is immense at the moment. I think Declan has the capabilities to get to that level and we mustn’t forget that he’s still youthful. He grew into his leadership role at West Ham. I used to have a go at him and bait him; he didn’t like it, but I think it helped me get a bit extra out of him."
Moyes also claimed that Rice has been worth his weight in gold for the Gunners and has already lived up to his massive £105 million transfer fee, adding:
"A lot of people thought he wouldn’t be worth the £100 million that Arsenal bought him for, but I actually thought – and people laughed at me for it – that he was worth £150 million. When you look at other players who’ve joined Premier League teams for similar fees, I think he has been worth above that."