Pablo Zabaleta wants to make sure that West Ham youngster Declan Rice is protected.

Rice is already a key player for the Hammers, as evidenced by his impressive performance in their Premier League draw with Chelsea at the weekend.

But he is involved in a controversy as he has to choose between England and the Republic of Ireland for his international future.

Zabaleta does not want it to become a distraction for the 19-year-old.

"There was all the stuff about Ireland and England and you have to know how to manage those situations," Zabaleta said to the Daily Express.

"But it is important for his family and all the players around him to look after him.

"He is young so we don't need to put any more pressure on him now.

"We need to help him to keep improving and at the moment he has played only three or four games this season."