Steven Gerrard has likened West Ham captain Declan Rice to Manchester City midfielder Rodri and Liverpool star Fabinho.

Some have suggested that Rice has a number of characteristics in common with Gerrard but, when asked to give his own take on the player’s style of play, the Aston Villa manager replied:

“He’s a real specialist in that position, he’s probably right up there with the top ones at that job – your Fabinhos and Rodris – Declan Rice deserves to be in that company for sure. I was very different – very different at his age and a very different player.”

Rice has been linked with a move to City over the past year, along with Chelsea and Manchester United, but the presence of Rodri at the Etihad means it is not exactly an area of the pitch that manager Pep Guardiola needs to reinforce.

With West Ham having also slapped an exorbitant £150m asking price on Rice, it makes a switch to the Blue half of Manchester even less likely.

The England international is undoubtedly a talented player, although it is fair to say that the vast majority of City fans wouldn’t want to swap Rodri for the 23-year-old or any other holding midfielder in world football.