Back in the days when he was academy chief I remember Terry Westley telling me that Declan Rice showed all the hallmarks of a top professional because he is never happy with his game.
He added that all he wants to do is learn and he would sooner do it in West Ham’s first team than as a squad player at one of the top six clubs.
It was as much that philosophy that led him to sign a six year deal with the Irons as anything else and it hasn’t taken the 20 year old to admit that he needs to get a lot better at various elements of his game.
Such a rapid rise to the top of the game could leave many of his age with ego problems but Declan is made of different stuff and more than ready to explain what needs to be added to his game.
Speaking to the official site he said: You need to improve. I don’t think you can be happy and content with how I played last season. I’m certainly not. I know I can get better for sure.
“There is so much of my game I need to get better at, maybe going forward a bit more; sometimes in my position, I’m just there to sit there and keep things ticking; my tactical side of the game; when to drop in as a centre-half and when to push up – there are so many things.
“I’m still only 20 years old. I’m enjoying playing every week, I’m learning and I’m trying to get better.”
And despite results going against the team in China he believes the trip was an important exercise saying: “It’s been really tough. “We knew what we were getting when we were coming out to China – hot weather, humidity and two good tests in Newcastle and Manchester City.
“Overall, it’s been a good trip. We didn’t manage to win either of the games, but I don’t think that matters too much as long as we gel as a team and we’re getting back into the swing of things and getting fitter so we’re ready for the new season. It’s been good and we’ll learn from it.
“The conditions were hard to play in, especially on Saturday when we played at five o’clock and it was really hot and sticky. Against Man City it was a bit easier as it was cooler but, like I said, we knew what were getting into when the manager decided to come here.
“It’s a great tournament and it’s tough, but we’re going to get fitter and it stands us in good stead for when we go back.”
“Last season was a disastrous start, but we have been with the manager a year now and we all know what we want and the players have been around each other long enough.
“There are no excuses for how we started last season, but this season we’re getting ready, we’re building, we’re getting physically better and come Manchester City in the first [Premier League] game, we’re going to be ready.”
What a great young man – where on earth would we be without him? (Answer – the relegation zone, probably …)