Declan Rice names current Premier League star he looks to emulate most

Arsenal and England star Declan Rice has picked out Manchester City midfielder Rodri as the player he looks to emulate most, hailing him as the standout in his position in the Premier League.

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Rice has established himself as one of the best central midfielders in the English top flight, fitting in well with the Gunners after his big-money summer move from West Ham.

The 24-year-old is still looking to learn, though, and is clearly a big fan of Rodri, who he sees as the benchmark for players at the base of midfield.

‘Obviously the main one in the Premier League is Rodri, he’s incredible,’ Rice told Channel 4 of players he looks to emulate.

‘What a player he is, the way he works, the way he keeps that Man City team ticking, you know he’s a top player.’

The former Hammers captain also had praise for his new Arsenal teammate Thomas Partey and Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni.

‘Partey when I came to Arsenal was incredible and has been up until his injury,’ continued Rice.

‘Tchouameni at Real Madrid, he’s a youngster as well, very aggressive, gets on the ball, goes forward with it, he’s very good.’

Another teammate who has caught Rice’s eye since moving to Arsenal is Jorginho, who might not be a first team regular, but has stood out to him on the training pitch.

‘The one who has surprised me so much, not surprised me because I knew he was such a good player anyway, but playing with him every day in training, seeing how he is because he’s not the biggest, is Jorginho,’ he said.

‘His brain, the way it works as a holding midfielder, I’ve just been trying to pick up little things off him.

‘He’s always in position, always knows when to pass, always creates time for himself. He’s an outstanding trainer and I’ve been trying to take little bits from his game as well.

‘I’m trying to learn from everyone, to be honest. I’m only 24, I’ve got all the abilities myself, but there are still things to add to get to the top, and that’s what I want to do.

‘The way we want to play out from the back and how pivotal my position is in that, always being there to be an out-ball, to be a free man, I’m really enjoying it.

‘We never really used to do that in our time at West Ham so it’s kind of going out of your comfort zone a bit, also if I’m doing it more you build so much confidence, which is really good and that is what I want.’

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