England's international window could hardly have gone any better, bar one John Stones mistake Gareth Southgate's team were ruthlessly efficient in their three wins.
A 5-0 win against San Marino was followed by a 2-0 victory in Albania and finally, three points were secured after a 2-1 win at home to Poland.
Southgate's men sit top of the World Cup qualifying table with nine points from three matches and firmly in control of their group.
For the West Ham contingent in the England squad, the international break was equally as successful. First Jesse Lingard returned to the fold and put in a Player of the Match performance against San Marino before Declan Rice took the limelight in the following two outings.
What his teammates said
The 22-year-old was the star of both the two more difficult international games and won back-to-back Player of the Match awards, much to the delight of his England teammates.
Injured England star Jack Grealish reacted on Instagram saying: "What a player mannnnn."
Raheem Sterling had a polite request for Rice: "Can the others also get one sometimes please?"
While Rice's England midfield partner Kalvin Phillips wrote: "Serious player!" in reply to Rice's post about his second Player of the Match award.
What Gary Lineker said
It was not just Rice's teammates who were impressed with his international performances. Former England captain Gary Lineker replied to journalist Paul Hayward's praise on Twitter, with Lineker saying: "He's seriously good is Declan Rice."
He’s seriously good is @_DeclanRice https://t.co/yaaBC4ZqNW
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker)
What Gareth Southgate said
“He’s a fantastic player to work with and he really wants to learn and to improve. To be captain of his club at such a young age tells you all you need to know really about his personality and his character.”
Southgate added: "He’s played some good qualifiers for us now as well, so we’re building those experiences with him and he’s been a very important player for us over the last couple of years.”
What Rice said
After his first award, Rice said: "Thank you to everyone for all the support it means a lot. Hopefully, many more to come."
And the midfielder's hopes were quickly answered with a second award in four days: "Three wins out of three. Top week with the boys and to win this again ain't too bad. Thank you for all the support."
What the nationals have said
The Independent's Mark Critchley wrote of Rice:
"Despite only having 15 caps to his name, already looks like one of the first names on Southgate’s team sheet."
Writing in The Guardian Jacob Steinberg awarded Declan Rice the Man of the Match award and said: "The 22-year-old impressed again at the heart of midfield. Positionally astute, strong in the tackle and eager to drive forward.
Daniel Blackham was extremely impressed with Rice calling him undroppable in the Mirror: "Declan Rice had a brilliant game playing as one of two central defensive midfielders in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and seemed to relish the new role.
"Rice was constantly hoovering up any loose balls in front of England's box, and refused to let Poland get a whiff of goal.
"Whenever he did pick up the ball, he always looked to create space before playing a pass forwards, something England have often been criticised for avoiding in the past.
"If Southgate is to play a 4-2-3-1 formation at the Euros, Rice will surely be undroppable."
