By CandH’s top blogger Allen Cummings
If David Moyes harboured any secret fears that Declan Rice might suffer a Premier League hangover following his England Euro Final heartbreak, they were well and truly dispelled by the time the final whistle had blown at St James’ on Sunday.
The West Ham captain turned in an inspirational performance as the Hammers won a pulsating season opener 4-2.
We all knew just how good Declan is before he went into the summer tournament – but he seems to have grown even more in stature and confidence as a result of the faith Gareth Southgate showed in him by picking him to start in every one of England’s games as they progressed to the final.
While Said Benrahma took many of the plaudits for his own performance against Newcastle, and rightly so, and Michail Antonio’s goal was celebrated for putting Mickey up there alongside the great Paolo Di Canio for Premier League goals scored for our club, the real driving force behind that thrilling second half performance for the Hammers came via Rice.
He seemed to take it personally that the Magpies had regained the lead shortly before half time – and when he strode out after the break he was clearly a man on a mission.
Declan drove forward at every opportunity. He took the game by the scruff of the neck and dominated the proceedings in the second 45.
Said, Michail and Tomas Soucek may have provided the goals but the inspiration came from our on field captain. I saw someone on social media questioning David Moyes’ managerial skills by claiming the manager should have taken Rice off when he went down with what appeared to be cramp.
In my opinion it would have taken the combined efforts of Moyes, Stuart Pearce and Kevin Nolan to get Rice off that pitch. He was going nowhere!
Declan has carved an impressive reputation for himself as a highly effective defensive midfielder. We know he can also play very effectively as a centre back if needed – it’s where he started.
But on Sunday he showed just how much his game has grown as a creative midfielder. Maybe not with the subtlety of touch and passing in the mould of a David Silva or Luka Modric – but with the strength, drive and power of a Patrick Vieira or Yaya Toure.
Declan is quickly growing into the ‘complete’ midfielder. If Jack Grealish is valued at £100m – what price is Declan Rice at now? If he was on the market that is – which he’s not!
