West Ham captain Declan Rice has jumped to the defence of England teammate Mason Mount.
Mount has come under fire from some sections of the Three Lions support after starting both of England's first two Group B matches at the World Cup.
He was then left out of the 3-0 win over Wales on Tuesday, raising doubts over whether he will start in the last-16 against Senegal this weekend.
Rice, who has been friends with Mount since childhood, doesn't think Gareth Southgate would hesitate to pick the Chelsea star, who he says is 'one of the best players' that he has played with.
“I don't need to talk too much about Mase," Rice said at England's Al Wakrah training base on Thursday. “He probably just doesn't fit the agenda of what people want an attacking midfield player to look like in this day and age.
“He is one of the best players I've played with — and I'm not saying that because he's my best mate. If you see the way he helps the team, I think that's why Gareth is so keen on him and picks him all the time.
“Not only with the ball, his quality he shows in abundance for England and Chelsea, but the way he is off the ball: you don't see many number 10s who have that together. He is such a team player, such a hard-working, honest guy."
Rice added: “Sometimes fans, people online, social media, they just don't like him. For what reason I honestly don't know. But, look, his numbers for Chelsea are incredible.
“He's won the Champions League, won the Super Cup, at such a young age and for the rest of his career, he can go on and be whatever he wants to be. And I know he doesn't let that noise get to him.
“Look, let Mase go and do his thing. When he's doing that it makes me happy seeing my good friend go and perform at the best level."
fourthorty430
1
If nobody talks about you, you are nobody... Even prophets were I'll spoken of.. You can only be good to yourself 100% but not to others even family members will criticize you out of jealous..
wakbilmnop
2
Take it or leave it, mount is my number one and I love him. My Big (19) 💙💙💙💙
sheneny
4
mount you are a star bro thise empty bottle they will talk nonsense but you are still the best...
Josh0521
0
Do you know mount hasn’t really had a chance to learn or play side by side with creative and great mildfileders. Let him just do his thing
riybcelnry
4
mount is very good player to my side
shahomasterclass
1
championship player
Jbeast27
0
Both are better than you, you watch on your couch and you have the biggest mount
Mouth*
Jbeast27
0
James sister is better than Mason Mount
Both are better than you, you watch on your couch and you have the biggest mount
Dipto_Das
0
Mason Mount is a average player..... In my view he don't pose much danger... Maybe the correct words is he is CONSISTENT that all... And he has luck and charm
an average guy can't be a consistent guy that is what fact says
darrenham
4
Mason Mount is a average player..... In my view he don't pose much danger... Maybe the correct words is he is CONSISTENT that all... And he has luck and charm
Taybcilm
0
mount is just overated, Chelsea fans know that but they won't just accept
fool
powcdlrsuz
1
James sister is better than Mason Mount
Mitchello2
3
Nothing personal but the guy just don't excite me nothing special about him just a lot of energy
fuhaloptyz
0
join him bro!
Fapinpyz
3
Rice u ar perfectly write,mount is a such a exciting talented young player
blueLion01
3
I love the way mount plays..very energetic
Kiwdeikuz
1
Overrated players nothing else
Fetckmsz
6
mount is just overated, Chelsea fans know that but they won't just accept
soldierzway
3
The couple
Dibcdinp
1
Rice come to Chelsea
I’am seeing him at Chelsea
Cicadirt
4
Rice come to Chelsea