Declan Rice is a better footballer than either Casemiro or Thomas Partey, according to Rice’s England international team-mate Kieran Trippier.
West Ham defensive midfielder Rice is widely expected to make a move at the end of the season, with Premier League’s top clubs said to be interested.
Manchester United – who reported had a £100million bid turned down – and Arsenal are among those linked, although both have established stars in the number 6 position.
Undoubtedly, Casemiro and Partey have been two of the standout performers in the League this season, and Trippier, speaking on Rio Ferdinand Vibes with FIVE podcast, could not split “both quality players”.
Trippier plays with Declan Rice for England and also lined-up alongside Partey at Atletico Madrid, while having also faced Casemiro all during his time in the Spanish top flight league.
However, the Newcastle United captain thinks the 24-year-old Rice ranks ahead of both.
“Declan’s unbelievable,” Trippier said.
“I don’t know if you watched the game the other day, when we [Newcastle] played West Ham, but his intelligence, the way he breaks up play and how he travels with it and how powerful… unbelievable.
“He’s probably one of the best in the world at what he does.
“Don’t get me wrong, Casemiro – the trophies he’s won, the Champions League, he’s a world-class player.
“But if you’re talking right now, honestly, Dec’s incredible. He’s got the age, as well.”
Quizzed further by Ferdinand on if he’d take Rice over Casemiro right now, the former Spurs man replied: “Yeah”
He added: “As defenders like me or yourself, you appreciate a Michael Carrick, or what Declan does”
“So it makes your job easier when they’re just mopping everything up.”
Kieran Trippier’s Newcastle currently sits Fourth in the Premier league and have a League Cup final date with Casemiro’s Manchester United in late February.
I don’t think so, Rice has not been proven outside England.