West Ham United star Declan Rice has included a Manchester United player among his five best Premier League midfielders.
The England midfielder has been asked by BT Sport to select the standout midfielders in the Premier League.
Paul Pogba was one of the players Rice went for. The Man Utd star is expected to leave the club this summer as his contract is due to expire in June.
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There is no doubting the Frenchman’s ability, but his performances have regularly been criticised by fans and pundits in recent years.
Rice also picked out Manchester City duo Bernardo Silva and Rodri. Mateo Kovacic and Yves Bissouma were his other choices.
Speaking on Kovacic, Silva and Rodri, Rice said: “[Kovavic] is incredible. You don’t really realise how good he is until you play against him. He can take the ball in tight areas, his dribbling ability is incredible, he can find a pass and control games. He’s always been a tough opponent to play against.
“[Silva] is so, so good. For someone that’s so small, he’s got a tenacious side to him with the way he presses and defends for his team. With the ball, he’s like a magician. I speak to Man City’s England boys when we go away and they say he’s one of the best players they’ve ever played with.
“[Rodri] is a great player, the way he is to that Man City side. He’s got that Spanish side to him where he keeps the ball and constantly knows his next pass. It took him a little bit of time to adapt to the Premier League. But now he’s a real, top player. And he doesn’t mind a little spiteful yellow card every now and then!”
The West Ham star went onto name Pogba and Bissouma:
“[Pogba] gets criticised but he’s one of the top three players I’ve ever played against. He’s just so strong, so good on the ball. He can take the ball with a crazy amount of pressure and get out of it with an unbelievable bit of skill.
“He knows how to play one and two touch and can play long passes. He’s so, so good and I think you see the best of him when he plays for France.
On Bissouma, Rice added: “Every time we’ve played against Brighton, the way they pass the ball, Graham Potter’s got them playing unbelievable football and Bissouma is a really great player.
“When you play against him you see what he’s like. He is strong in the tackle, can bring the ball forward and find a pass. He’s got a bit of flair about him as well. He’s consistent as well.”
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