‘Dominated the midfield’: National media hail 24-year-old Chelsea target’s international display

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West Ham star Declan Rice was on top form last night for England in a 2-1 win against Italy.

Declan Rice, 24, is a talented midfielder who’s been linked with Chelsea ahead of the summer transfer window.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano recently said on YouTube that Chelsea and Arsenal are both keen on signing Rice from West Ham at the end of the season.

He’s an all-action central midfielder with a lot of experience now in West Ham colours. In fact, he’s now a senior figure in their dressing room and wears the captain’s armband.

In addition, the 24-year-old stands out on the international stage with England.

England produced a great performance on Thursday night to beat the Italians in their own backyard.

Rice, who doesn’t score many, netted the opening goal with a neat left-footed finish inside the box. Harry Kane then doubled England’s advantage with a record-breaking goal to become the nations’s all-time top goalscorer.

National media in England was left really impressed by Rice’s display yesterday in a European Championship qualifier.

90min wrote: “8/10 – Dominated the midfield battle both physically and technically in the first half but had to do some ugly work as the tables turned.”

Sky Sports added: “8/10 – Having been asked to respond to criticism of his attacking qualities in the build-up to the game, Rice delivered the best possible answer on the pitch when he popped up with the opening goal. Showed his usual defensive awareness too, helping to snuff out Italy attacks.”

Finally, The Telegraph said: “8/10 – Declan Rice: Perfect to response to criticism from Graeme Souness that he can only defend. His 13th-minute goal was an instinctive penalty-box finish when the ball broke, but he also carried the ball forward. Targeted for Italians who could have got him sent off.”

Marco Verratti has tipped Rice to join “a top club” in the future. You can definitely see why he said that after his latest England performance.

The midfield powerhouse shouldn’t be playing for a side in a Premier League relegation fight this season. Instead, he should be starring in the top club competitions on a consistent basis.

We don’t think he’s been at his very sharpest throughout the course of this campaign, but he seems to thrive in an England shirt when he’s surrounded by top-quality teammates.