West Ham captain Declan Rice will become the ‘best midfielder in the world’, says Bournemouth star Ryan Fredericks

Bournemouth defender Ryan Fredericks believes West Ham captain Declan Rice will become ‘the best midfielder in the world’.

The 23-year-old is now captain of the Hammers following the departure of club legend Mark Noble, continuing his ascent in east London.

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Rice, an England regular who is set to be named in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the World Cup in Qatar, has continued his excellent domestic form despite the new role.

And the midfielder has been so impressive that Manchester United and former side Chelsea, where he played as a youngster, have been linked with transfer bids in previous windows.

West Ham manager David Moyes, though, is reluctant to let him leave anytime soon, placing a £150million price tag on his head.

And right-back Fredericks, who spent four seasons with the England international at the London Stadium before signing for the Cherries in the summer, reckons they are right to hang onto the player who is yet to reach his potential.

The 30-year-old told talkSPORT: “I think first and foremost, West Ham are building a squad and a team with David Moyes that want to challenge.

They might not come out and say it but I’m sure in the next couple of years with the squad they put together they will probably want to be challenging for the Champions League.

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“I doubt that West Ham are just going to want to sell him on. In my eyes, I think the way I’ve seen him in games and training, I think he’s already world-class.

“From what I’ve seen I think he can go to another level. I don’t think he is far off it now, but I think he will be the best midfielder in the world in the next couple of years.

“I am not saying that because he is a good mate of mine but from what I’ve seen he has got everything. He can literally do anything on a football pitch, anything with the ball. Hopefully he has a nightmare on Monday night.”

Asked what makes him so good, Fredericks replied: “You need players like him in the changing room.

“Football is not always just sunshine and rainbows, there is going to be tough times no matter who you play for and no matter who you are, but you need players like him in the changing room when times are tough.

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“He is still going to have a smile on his face, he is still going to get the lads going. I think it shows on the pitch as well, he enjoys every minute of it even when going into tough games.

“You look around the changing room, everyone looks focussed in their own zone. He’s probably one of a few players that can laugh and joke up to seconds before the game and then as soon as that whistle goes, he turns it on and is pretty much world-class every game.”

Bournemouth are currently 12th and one spot above West Ham in the Premier League table ahead of their trip to London.

Both sides head into the game off the back of midweek losses to Southampton and Liverpool, respectively

You can hear live and exclusive radio commentary of West Ham United vs Bournemouth on talkSPORT from 8pm.