All part of the learning curve.
Declan Rice has enjoyed an excellent breakthrough season with West Ham in this Premier League season. For one so young, the 19-year-old has shown remarkable levels of consistency and plenty of leadership in establishing himself as a mainstay in the Hammers’ defence.
The 19-year-old London born defender, who qualifies to play for the Republic of Ireland through his Cork grandparents has 15 starts and seven substitute appearances to his name for David Moyes’ side and his reputation has risen accordingly.
Martin O’Neill was quick to take notice of Rice’s emergence and he drafted the young Hammer into his squad for a couple of international friendly games. Rice grasped the opportunity turning in some solid shifts and Ireland fans now firmly believe that this is a man we can build our team around in the future.
All players encounter rough patches, be they short or prolonged, at different stages in their career. Rice is currently in the middle of one of these. You don’t know him, however, if you don’t think he can bounce back from this.
But it's a different story when Joe Hart makes a mistake https://t.co/gq7KvAwV7h
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) April 24, 2018
Last weekend against Arsenal was a tough day out for the youngster. After putting in a solid display to keep the Gunners at bay for almost 80 minutes, a miscommunication between the centre half and his goalkeeper Joe Hart saw Arsenal take the lead and Rice ship the blame for it.
This blame game was played by his manager David Moyes and Hart himself, both of whom must be questioned for so eagerly and openly criticising a 19-year-old rather than attempting to build his confidence back up.
That’s the game, however and fast forward one week and it wasn’t getting much better for Rice. It was never going to be easy coming up against the champions Man City and there was no reprieve in sight for Rice or West Ham.
City took an early lead through Leroy Sane and though Rice was faultless for that goal, his depleted confidence again came to the fore a couple of minutes later when he scored an own goal, albeit an unfortunate one.
Kevin De Bruyne got to the byline and crossed the ball in.
Rice (41) and teammate Pablo Zabaleta (5) both attempted to clear the ball.
Rice appeared to kick it off his own shin before the ball scuttered into the back of the net.
Hopefully he bounces back from this.
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