Jack Grealish once lavished praise on to Declan Rice, who has strongly been linked with a transfer to Manchester City.
In an interview with AC Momento in November last year, the treble-winner was quizzed about the West Ham United captain, who was reported to be in ‘advanced talks’ over a move to City on Friday.
It seems like Jack Grealish would be over the moon if Manchester City signed Declan Rice, having previously waxed lyrical about him as a player.
What Jack Grealish said about Manchester City target Declan Rice in November
While it has seemed for the longest time that Rice was destined for a move to Arsenal, it seems like the Sky Blues have earmarked him as a replacement for Barcelona-bound Ilkay Gundogan.
On Thursday, even Fabrizio Romano revealed that the Europa Conference League winner would be open to either transfer.
Jack Grealish seems like he is also hoping and praying that Declan Rice joins Manchester City, experiencing how much of a challenge it is to go head-to-head against him.
“Dec [Declan Rice], I’ve played with him and against him for years now. But when I played with him…the way he reads the game for someone so young; it’s like he’s been around forever.”
“To go past him is so difficult, honestly. And I don’t say that about a lot of people. I’d back myself against anyone. I’d back myself against him too, obviously”, Jack Grealish noted about Declan Rice.
“But whether it’s in training or a game, the way he uses his body…he’s so smart, so big and strong. He’s so, so good”, Grealish concluded.
Declan Rice would become a truly world-class player under Pep Guardiola
Jack Grealish has hit the nail on the head about Declan Rice, who is undoubtedly a special midfielder.
But in terms of the improvements that the former Chelsea youngster can make in his game, technically is where one could say in terms of breaking the lines more effectively, being a more expansive passer and knowing how to set the tempo of a game.
Pep Guardiola, who is not only the best manager in the world but was a masterful No.6 during his playing days could perhaps be the perfect coach to mould the 24-year-old into the most complete version of himself.
As has been seen in the cases of fellow English players like John Stones, Kyle Walker, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, which is a factor that may be playing on Declan Rice’s mind while deciding his future.
