West Ham latest news: Journalist says Declan Rice is the most 'consistent' midfielder in the world

Transfer insider Dean Jones believes that West Ham‘s Declan Rice is the most consistent midfielder in world football right now.

Rice enjoyed an outstanding 2021 for both club and country and highlighted his importance to the Hammers in their FA Cup fourth round tie at Kidderminster on Saturday.

The 23-year-old has been in top form for the best part of three years but he has taken his game to another level in recent months.

Following on from an impressive European Championships when he started all seven games, Rice has taken every ounce of confidence from playing at his first major tournament into this season with West Ham.

Rice has an exceptional range of passing, averages 2.3 tackles per game and his energy levels are incredible. The only thing missing from his game was goals and assists.

Prior to this season, he had been directly involved in just 10 goals in just under 150 West Ham appearances, with his best return in a single campaign only four.

However, Rice is now contributing to goals on a much more frequent basis, scoring four goals and laying on another four for his teammates in just 29 outings this season. Only half of those have come in the Premier League, but it’s proof that Rice is quickly becoming the complete midfielder.

His crucial late equaliser against Kidderminster on Saturday might have been against Non-League opposition, but it was more evidence that Rice can now be effective at both ends of the pitch..

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I don’t think it’s that much of a stretch to say that he’s the most consistent midfielder in the world right now.

“His form has been unbelievable this season and the way that he can take it upon himself to lift the level of the team single-handedly, is unbelievable.”

Rice’s