While the West Ham senior side have continued to underwhelm in 2017-18, the youth team have been impressing in the Premier League 2, as the Hammers under-23’s are amongst the title contenders.
They are just 4 points behind table-topping Liverpool U23, although they have played a game more, and with Toni Martínez leading the goalscoring charts with 7 goals, it’s hard not to keep an eye on the squad.
Despite being more of a senior team member, 18-year-old defender Declan Rice has featured twice in the PL2 this term.
Following an outstanding performance from Rice during Sunday’s goalless draw against Chelsea, academy director Terry Westley couldn’t help but label the Ireland international as one of the best young defenders in the land.
The teenage sensation, who has played 4 league games for the senior side this term, captained the under-23’s to their first clean sheet of the campaign, putting in a man-of-the-match performance.
Terrence was full of praises for Rice following the game, claiming: “There was one stand out player on the pitch today and that was Declan Rice.
“His whole demeanour, the way he goes about the game, the way he drives the team and his all-round ability, which covers all of that – he was the stand out player on both sides.
“If there is a better young centre-back in the country, I haven’t seen him, at least not playing in under-23 football”
Rice has come a long way since making his first team debut in May, and should he keep improving at his rate, he could be on his way to establishing himself as one of the best defenders and defensive midfielders in the topflight.
