West Ham academy chief Terry Westley has no doubts about the potential of Declan Rice.

Westley declared Rice as one of the best young central defenders in the country after West Ham United's PL2 side were held to a 0-0 draw at Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

“There was one stand out player on the pitch today and that was Declan Rice," Westley explained.

“His whole demeanour, the way he goes about the game, the way he drives the team and his all-round ability, which covers all of that – he was the standout player on both sides."

He also told whufc.com: “If there is a better young centre-back in the country, I haven't seen him, at least not playing in under-23 football."