Tomas Soucek is counting on Declan Rice staying with West Ham United this season.

One big feature of the Hammers' success last term was Soucek's partnership with Rice in the heart of their midfield.

The pair were reunited against Atalanta at the weekend and the Czech star is relishing the prospect of further developing their relationship on the pitch.

"My partnership with Declan is very good for me and I hope that we can still improve, because there is still space for improving," he told the club's website.

"I am happy that he is still a young guy and a young star, and he can improve next to me and be one of the top central midfielders and I can improve next to him as well.

"We know each other so one can move and the next one can immediately fill in the space, so it is a good relationship."