West Ham have faced a difficult schedule of fixtures in the first few months of the campaign but have shown signs of progress after entering the start of a more favourable batch of matches.
The Hammers secured back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time this season after seeing off Newcastle United and Cardiff City this week, providing Manuel Pellegrini’s side with a strong platform to build upon over the course of the busy festive period.
One shining light from the past 18 months has been the emergence of 19-year-old Declan Rice, who has established himself as a fan favourite and one of the first names in Pellegrini’s teamsheet.
Currently in the middle of an international tug-of-war between the Republic of Ireland and England, the teenager has not let that distract him and earned further praise for his performance in the midweek triumph over Cardiff.
That led one fan on social media to claim he cannot believe Rice is still only 19 and plenty of other supporters soon responded. We have gathered some of their reactions below.
I was watching another superb game from this man today and thinking how is the fella still only 19 ⚒ https://t.co/QfeR5g09Z1
— ExWHUemployee (@ExWHUemployee) December 4, 2018
best young player we’ve seen for a long time I think…time, vision, maturity, strength
— James Dennison (@James__Dennison) December 5, 2018
Good eh!, just got to make sure we keep hold of him!
— Elliott Berry (@Marsurv_marine) December 4, 2018
Made a mistake and Slav dropped him, don’t think he’s made a mistake since then
— Lefty (@Marko_Baztard) December 5, 2018
unreal talent an hes only gonna get better
— Jordzy (@JordyWHU19) December 4, 2018
Absolutely gutted his shot on goal didn’t go in. I have to be there when he finally scores for the hammers. Class class act!
— JJ (@johnjohnshould) December 5, 2018
How is he still on £3000 a week more like???
— West_Ham_Utd (@terrydavis1984) December 5, 2018
Struggling also to think why those so called West ham fans in the directors box atent giving him a long term contract.
— Gez Barton (@bartong2011) December 5, 2018
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