Former West Ham striker Sebastien Haller has spoken in glowing terms about his former Hammers teammate Declan Rice and his importance to the team.
The West Ham vice-captain was just 20 when Haller moved to the London Stadium yet despite his tender years he was already an established member of the first-team squad.
Haller played alongside Rice for 18-months between 2019 and 2021 following his £45 million arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt and the Ivory Coast international was impressed with what he saw from the England international:
"He has everything,” Haller told talkSPORT “He’s still really young. He’s a good captain, and he’s technically good and strong."
Rice's value to the West Ham team was clear to see for Haller, during the Ivorians only full season at the club the England international played every minute of the league campaign as the Hammers fought an eventually successful battle against relegation.
Haller was certainly aware of his young teammate's value to the side:
“I can easily say that during my one-and-a-half years he was the top two most important players in the team because he recovered a lot of balls and was really important for the team," he said.
Since Haller's departure from West Ham, the club have moved from mid-table into the top four and have aspirations of European football next season.
If The Hammers are able to secure either Europa League or Champions League qualification for the 2021-22 season Rice will have the opportunity to further his career and show to an even wider audience his undoubted ability and Haller wants nothing but the best for the West Ham no.41.
“The only thing I can wish him is to be a world class player because he has the potential," he added.
