West Ham's Declan Rice studying videos of Vieira and Toure

Declan Rice reveals he’s been studying videos of Patrick Vieira and Yaya Toure to become a more complete midfielder after West Ham keep up Champions League push with win over Leeds

  • West Ham beat Leeds 2-0 on Monday night to keep in touch with the top four
  • Declan Rice spoke afterwards about how he wants to improve his game
  • 22-year-old has been watching videos of midfield greats Vieira and Toure
  • Rice wants to become more of a box-to-box player rather than defensive shield
  • He joked he will be back on penalty duties after Jesse Lingard’s was saved 
  • Lingard tucked away the rebound after his penalty was saved by Ilian Meslier  

Declan Rice has been studying videos of legendary midfielders Patrick Vieira and Yaya Toure in order to take his game to the next level.

The West Ham and England star, 22, wants to move beyond the perception he is just a shield for the defence and become more of a box-to-box midfielder.

His excellent form continued as the Hammers beat Leeds United 2-0 on Monday night to keep themselves on the fringes of the Champions League places.

Declan Rice impressed again as West Ham beat Leeds to maintain their push for the top four

Rice revealed afterwards he has been watching videos of Arsenal great Patrick Vieira in a bid to improve the attacking element to his game in West Ham’s midfield

Manchester City great Yaya Toure was another player Rice has studied to improve his game

Rice told Sky Sports: ‘I think a lot of people see me as a simple, basic player who gets it, gives it and protects the back four.

‘I know, my team-mates know and the manager knows what I’ve got in my locker.

‘I want to show that I can be exciting and I can take the ball forward. I have great athleticism.’

They are certainly qualities shared with Arsenal and France legend Vieira, who was the leader of Arsene Wenger’s great sides at the turn of the century.

And Ivorian Toure was a key part of Manchester City’s midfield as they made their mark on English football during the last decade.

‘I’ve been watching the top players over the years, the Yaya Toures, the Vieiras,’ Rice added.

Rice strokes a pass during West Ham’s 2-0 win over Leeds at the London Stadium on Monday

Rice (right) celebrates with Craig Dawson after the defence headed home their second goal

‘There’s a long way to go to get to that level. But the way they used to carry the ball up the pitch and drive their teams forward is something I have been trying to learn and add to my game.’

Rice has started all 27 of West Ham’s Premier League matches so far this season, playing himself into strong contention to start for England at Euro 2020 this summer.

The Hammers are two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, with a game in hand, after goals from Jesse Lingard and Craig Dawson saw off Leeds at the London Stadium.

Lingard’s goal came at the second attempt after Ilian Meslier saved his penalty and Rice joked that he will be back on spot-kick duty next time.

Lingard’s spot-kick was poor but he couldn’t miss the rebound as Meslier pushed the ball out

‘I think the gaffer [David Moyes] has just battered me in there!’ he said. ‘Me and Jess spoke and we’ve been practicing them in training together. He said to me: ‘Can I take it?’ and I’m not one to be selfish.

‘I was confident in him to go up and take the ball, if he had missed there’d have been backlash on me, but I was confident in Jesse’s ability to put the ball away.

‘The gaffer has just said in there it’s definitely me on the penalties again, so for the next one I will have to say: ‘Jess, look give me the ball mate!’




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