Samir Nasri is already showing himself to be a player who can impact on the Hammers in a very big way.
Not unnaturally there were many who had more than a few doubts about him when it became clear he was set to become a winter window signing.
But over his first two games it has become clear this is a guy on his way back to finding the sort of form that put him at the top of his business before losing his way afterManchester City.
So when he decides to deliver an opinion on Declan Rice he’s a man worth listening to given his experience in the game – it’s also one with which i’s very difficult to disagree.
All we can really add is “Thank God the boy signed that six year deal and how good was it to be in the stadium o Saturday and be able to say in years to come: ‘I was there when he scored his first goal for the first team.’
Nasri is impressed with him – very impressed indeed – and speaking to www.whufc.com he said: “Declan Rice is a really really good player. If he stays humble and works hard he has everything to be one of the best defensive midfielders in the future, because he is really smart as a player.
Pic from www.whufc.com
“He started as a centre-back, so he has this intelligence about how to cover the spaces. He only has to score more goals and take more shots and that’s what he did against Arsenal.
“He’s definitely in the top five young players I have played with. Jack Wilshere was amazing – on another level – a really good player. Jadon Sancho was a good player as well. He didn’t have the maturity at the time but he had a really good time.
“Phil Foden at Manchester City as well, and you have Declan! He’s in the top five for sure.”