Declan Rice produced a fabulous passing achievement last night against the Iranians.

The Hammers captain completed 92 of 95 passes and made a team-high three interceptions – allowed partner Jude Bellingham to get forward, support the attack and score England’s opening goal.

If that sort of form continues through the Quatar competition it seems the shop window will be big enough for the 23-year-old to attract huge interest from home and abroad.

But that has never been an issue addressed by the young man as he heads into the year that could well and truly decide his future.

He has been talking about the purely defensive role he has been asked to fulfil by manager Gareth Southgate and the conversation he had with his midfield colleague ahead of the game.

It’s a role that he plays at West Ham although he is often allowed to stride forward taking on the role of an attacking midfielder.

But he said after last night’s game: “We have played together four or five times now. I said to him in the tunnel: ‘This is your stage, go and flourish. I’ll be there behind you to sweep up and give you the ball for you to go and do your thing.’

“I know my role in this team. I am there to stand in front of the back four, protect, get on the ball and move it around.

I feel like we did that really well. We stuck to the game plan and, in the end, the spaces opened up. You saw the goals we scored with some really lovely play.”