Former West Ham United coach Mark Warburton says it’s ‘frightening’ how good Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice could become.
Speaking to The Athletic, Warburton has been discussing Declan Rice’s promising start to life in North London.
Rice has quickly established himself as a key man under Mikel Arteta after his £105 million move to Arsenal over the summer.
The 24-year-old starred at West Ham over the past few seasons but not many expected him to hit the ground running with such ease.
Indeed, even Rio Ferdinand has labelled Rice as Arsenal’s best player so far this season.
The Englishman is playing some of the best football of his career under Arteta but Mark Warburton believes there’s plenty more to come.
Warburton says Rice’s potential is ‘frightening’
Warburton says it’s scary how good Rice could become in the future at Arsenal.
“People talk about Dec as if he is what he is always going to be, but I think there is another 20 per cent to come, which is frightening in terms of what he can achieve,” the Hammers coach said.
“The Arsenal players will always hear his voice. He’s a dominant personality but there’s not a bone of arrogance in him.
“He has a swagger on the pitch that he knows he’s a good player. That’s it, and you need that.”
Of course, Warburton worked alongside Rice at West Ham last season as his first-team coach.
The former Hammers man seems convinced that the England star can improve even further.
Rice is already playing exceptionally well under Arteta and is widely recognised as one of the best holding midfielders in England.
You’d imagine that Rice will only continue to improve as he adjusts to a new style of football at Arsenal and the Gunners have picked up a player who’s capable of leading them to major honours.