Arsenal star Declan Rice has enjoyed a stratospheric rise to the top of the game over the past decade.
Declan Rice rose through the ranks at West Ham to become the first Hammers captain to lift a European trophy since Bobby Moore lifted the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965.
Arsenal then swooped for Rice in 2023, paying a record £105million to bring him from East London to North London, and he has gone from strength to strength at N5.
Patrice Evra, who was at West Ham in 2018, has now shared what Rice told him at the club that made the French icon realise his then-teammate was headed for the top.
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Patrice Evra raves about Declan Rice’s humility
Evra was the guest on the latest episode of SDS as he shared numerous anecdotes about his time in football.
When it came to the subject of Rice, Evra said: “I loved Declan.”
And when asked whether he felt Rice could go to the very top, Evra replied: “Yes, yeah. Do you know why?
“Because of his humility. That’s it. If you ask me, he needed to improve a lot of his game, too many touches, but he always had the engine.
“And I remember one day, Declan came to me and said ‘Patrice, thank you so much, every time you speak, all your words – I’m absorbing it, please tell me if you see me doing the wrong things’.
“He’s so humble, and such a nice person, but a hard worker. Declan, I’m not surprised the player he’s become. Now I think he’s even better, clinical, scoring more goals, he’s generous.”
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What has been said about Declan Rice’s future at Arsenal
Arsenal’s failure to win a trophy this season has led to the likes of Jamie Carragher claiming there could be an exodus further down the line if things don’t change.
“In terms of Declan, I think he’s been Arsenal’s best player this season,” said Carragher.
“I’m not saying he’d give it another 12 months, but I think those doubts maybe kick in in another 12 months.
However, Rio Ferdinand disagreed with Carragher’s comments about Rice.
I think Declan, I think he’s a bit of a throwback,” said Ferdinand.
“There’s a difference to him. I think he’d want to get the job done before he thought about going anywhere.
“I think he’d be that type. I could be wrong, but from now on Declan. Yeah, and from knowing Declan, I think that’s where I think he would sit.
“Declan’s not gone to Arsenal for money or fame. He’s gone there to try and improve himself and win.
“And if you’re not doing that, I could see him maybe getting itchy feet, but I think it’s too early to say that.”
