Kevin Nolan makes shock claim about England's most important player

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By Ben Browning

Published: May 23, 2021 1:57 pm

Last Updated: May 23, 2021 2:00 pm

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Nolan bigs up Rice

Ex-West Ham player and current coach Kevin Nolan has been speaking to The Athletic ahead of England’s squad announcement to the European Championships.

Touching on his own managerial career, Nolan was quick to talk up England youngster Declan Rice, saying:

“I get on really well with Declan- I have a brotherly love for him”

“He’s a proper player and he’s going to be massive for England in the Euros. I read the papers and they speak about Mason Mount, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish is going to be more important than all of those players”

Four years ago today, Declan Rice made his debut for West Ham.

130 Premier League appearances. 15 England caps. One of the best DM’s in the country and now leading West Ham towards European football with one game remaining.

What a journey so far. ?? pic.twitter.com/4f97EMIYMk

— Dan Woffenden (@danwoff98) May 21, 2021

Nolan continued to heap praise on the young midfielder, stressing his importance both to West Ham and England

“If we had Dec for the six games we missed him in, I believe that coming into this match against Southampton we could’ve been in the Champions League”

“That’s how highly I rate him and that’s no disrespect to anyone else in our squad. The lad has it all: Athleticism, he can pass it, good at defending, he can run.”

“He’s taken us to new levels, certainly this season with his performances.”

Soon on his way out?

When asked about his future, Nolan said:

“I hope that he goes right to the top and I hope it will be here at West Ham.”

“Hopefully he will be here for a couple more years to lead this team in the way that he has this season”.

Rice has been linked with a big-money move away this summer, with Manchester United and Chelsea reportedly keen on the commanding England international, who is set to anchor England’s midfield in the upcoming Euros. However, any move for the Hammer will surely command a massive fee, when his age, experience, nationality and ability are all taken into account.

Chelsea revive their interest in Declan Rice – and could use Tammy Abraham as part of deal.

Theyre also keeping tabs on Aurelien Tchouameni and Julian Weigl.

– @Matt_Law_DT pic.twitter.com/SfULrYSEqf

— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) May 22, 2021

Whether Rice continues his career at West Ham or seeks pastures new, he is certainly a star in the making.

PSG set to announce Neymar contract, ‘No agreement’ made with Kylian Mbappe

West Ham’s David Moyes sends another Declan Rice transfer message to Chelsea following Lampard sacking

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Premier League table

#	Team	MP	D	P
1	Manchester City FC	37	46	83
2	Manchester United FC	37	28	71
3	Chelsea FC	37	23	67
4	Liverpool FC	37	24	66
5	Leicester City FC	37	20	66
6	West Ham United FC	37	12	62
7	Tottenham Hotspur FC	37	21	59
8	Everton FC	37	4	59
9	Arsenal FC	37	14	58
10	Leeds United	37	6	56
11	Aston Villa FC	37	8	52
12	Wolverhampton Wanderers FC	37	-15	45
13	Crystal Palace FC	37	-23	44
14	Southampton FC	37	-18	43
15	Newcastle United FC	37	-18	42
16	Brighton & Hove Albion FC	37	-4	41
17	Burnley FC	37	-21	39
18	Fulham FC	37	-24	28
19	West Bromwich Albion	37	-39	26
20	Sheffield United FC	37	-44	20

Player	Team	Goals
Kane, Harry	Tottenham Hotspur FC	22
Salah, Mohamed	Liverpool FC	22
Fernandes, Bruno	Manchester United FC	17
Son, Heung Min	Tottenham Hotspur FC	17
Bamford, Patrick	Leeds United	16
Calvert-Lewin, Dominic	Everton FC	16
Watkins, Ollie	Aston Villa FC	14
Vardy, Jamie	Leicester City FC	13
Gundogan, Ilkay	Manchester City FC	13
Lacazette, Alexandre	Arsenal FC	13
Wilson, Callum	Newcastle United FC	12
Ings, Danny	Southampton FC	12
Wood, Chris	Burnley FC	12
Iheanacho, Kelechi	Leicester City FC	12
Rashford, Marcus	Manchester United FC	11
Pereira, Matheus	West Bromwich Albion	11
Zaha, Wilfried	Crystal Palace FC	11
Sterling, Raheem	Manchester City FC	10
Antonio, Michail	West Ham United FC	10
Cavani, Edinson	Manchester United FC	10

Player	Team	Red Cards	Yellow Cards
McGinn, John	Aston Villa FC	0	11
Maguire, Harry	Manchester United FC	0	11
Gallagher, Conor	West Bromwich Albion	0	10
Hojbjerg, Pierre	Tottenham Hotspur FC	0	9
Milivojevic, Luka	Crystal Palace FC	1	8
Lundstram, John	Sheffield United FC	1	8
Phillips, Kalvin	Leeds United	0	9
Luiz, Douglas	Aston Villa FC	0	8
Bissouma, Yves	Brighton & Hove Albion FC	1	8
Soucek, Tomas	West Ham United FC	1	7
Shaw, Luke	Manchester United FC	0	8
Xhaka, Granit	Arsenal FC	1	7
Bellerin, Hector	Arsenal FC	0	8
Andersen, Joachim	Fulham FC	1	7
Egan, John	Sheffield United FC	1	7
Holgate, Mason	Everton FC	0	8
Hayden, Isaac	Newcastle United FC	0	8
Dallas, Stuart	Leeds United	0	7
McGoldrick, David	Sheffield United FC	0	7
Reid, Bobby	Fulham FC	0	7