---
title: "West Ham fans on Twitter loved it as Pellegrini compared Rice with Mascherano"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-fans-on-twitter-loved-it-as-pellegrini-compared-rice-with-mascherano/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ally Darlow"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2019-02-22T19:20:39Z"
modified: "2019-02-22T19:20:39Z"
---

# West Ham fans on Twitter loved it as Pellegrini compared Rice with Mascherano

**West Ham fans all know that they have a real gem on their books in the form of Declan Rice. After coming into the fold last season, the current campaign has seen him become a real star as he’s scored his first Hammers goal and nailed down the holding midfield role in Manuel Pellegrini’s system, leading to the Chilean making a bold call about the star.**

> Some statement by the Boss. [pic.twitter.com/4kYzIHPI5O](https://t.co/4kYzIHPI5O)
>
> — West Ham United (@WestHam) [February 22, 2019](https://twitter.com/WestHam/status/1098870006748565504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The Chilean ex-Manchester City manager went as far as to compare the 20-year-old to a former Hammer and two-time Champions League winner and five-time Spanish champion Javier Mascherano, who also racked up an incredible 147 caps for his native Argentina. The chances of Rice following in the former Irons footsteps are slim, but he definitely has the potential to do so.

The youngster recently confirmed that he would be choosing Englan as his national side over the Republic of Ireland, and whilst that may not have gone too well with the Irish fans after he won three caps for them in friendly fixtures, the Three Lions will be delighted. Now he just needs to show that his potential can be reached and keep up his levels.

You can read the Hammers’ response to Pellegrini’s quotes on Rice here:

https://twitter.com/alex\_cvb/status/1098870720472469505

> Eric Dier right now [pic.twitter.com/ObwZ37fTn9](https://t.co/ObwZ37fTn9)
>
> — L E N N O X (@lennoxfors) [22 February 2019](https://twitter.com/lennoxfors/status/1098882361314426881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Fantastic player, best of luck to him and the Irons, a very bright future indeed
>
> — Ray woods (@Kippax73) [22 February 2019](https://twitter.com/Kippax73/status/1098900415956090880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/AdaminBarnet/status/1098877611265146881

> He’s not only the best but he’s a country mile ahead of the rest [@\_DeclanRice](https://twitter.com/_DeclanRice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#hesoneofourown](https://twitter.com/hashtag/hesoneofourown?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Rhys (@rhysj39) [22 February 2019](https://twitter.com/rhysj39/status/1098872067326382080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/900dollaryd00s/status/1098883856760008710

The Hamers have high hopes for Rice and will hope he can continue to shine for them as they look to become a powerhouse under Pellegrini.