Declan Rice has labelled criticism of England team-mate Mason Mount as “very harsh” after the Chelsea midfielder confronted a social media backlash.
Mount was singled out during the last international break as many pundits and supporters clamoured for Jack Grealish to be extra concerned for the Three Lions.
Regardless of the criticism, the 21-year-old has impressed for England and scored the successful purpose within the Nations League victory over Belgium in October.
FEATURE: Mount’s ‘crime’ is being more Lampard than Grealish
Gareth Southgate’s aspect head for the return tie in Leuven on Sunday and, with Rice prone to be included alongside his shut good friend Mount, the West Ham man provided a staunch defence of his colleague.
“We don’t talk about it however I believe it’s very harsh,” Rice replied when requested concerning the unfavorable social media surrounding Mount.
“I witness it right here, after I come to coach right here and I’ve educated with him since I used to be a child.
“So I do know what his mentality is like, I understand how hard-working and the way pushed he’s and it’s no shock you understand that Gareth picks him, Frank (Lampard) picks him.
“I believe in case you give each Premier League supervisor the possibility to choose him, they choose him as properly as a result of in case you see day in day trip what he offers to the crew as a person, he’s a high expertise – so I believe that the criticism may be very harsh.”
Southgate has insisted it has by no means been a straight shoot-out between Mount and Grealish for a spot in his crew and the pair began collectively in Thursday’s pleasant win over the Republic of Eire.
Rice, too, believes there isn’t any cause why the duo needs to be seen as rivals and feels each convey a lot to the worldwide area.
“I believe in case you have a look at Jack and also you have a look at Mason, clearly there’s all the time going to be comparisons however they stunning a lot play in two completely different components of the pitch.
“Mason now at Chelsea is taking part in as an attacking quantity eight and Jack is taking part in off the left.
“I believe you might see the opposite evening that they will each play in the identical crew for positive they usually’re each nice gamers that I believe we needs to be valuing.
“For the nation and for me as somebody who will get to play with these gamers we’re fortunate that we get to play with such abilities.”
Rice, who has been captaining West Ham in latest weeks with membership skipper Mark Noble dropping out of the aspect, was additionally filled with reward for England midfield accomplice Jordan Henderson.
Some of the skilled members of Southgate’s present set-up, Henderson has captained Liverpool to Champions League and Premier League glory prior to now two years and Rice is studying a lot from the 30-year-old.
“In case you have a look at Jordan and what he’s completed within the recreation for his complete profession actually however particularly the final couple of years, nothing is so necessary for somebody like me to be taking part in subsequent to him, to study to get higher,” he added.
“You don’t realise till you’re taking part in subsequent to him his management qualities and what he really brings to the crew – he’s continuous and all the time on at you in a great way, in a constructive manner.”
