Joe Cole has likened Declan Rice to Steven Gerrard, as the ex-Chelsea star became the latest pundit to laud the displays of the West Ham star by insisting 'the sky is the limit' for the midfielder.
Rice, 22, has gone from strength to strength for the Hammers over the past 12 months and has spearheaded David Moyes' side's charge up the Premier League table, where they sit in third after 11 league games.
This week, Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle claimed that Rice is currently the top flight's best player, and former Irons starlet Cole has echoed the sentiments of his punditry colleague.
'If Glenn said [Rice is the best player in the league], then it's true,' Cole told talkSPORT. 'He's the God.
'I've watched Declan develop over the years. He's a little bit like – and I don't want to put this kind of pressure on him – but he's a little bit like how Stevie G [Gerrard] developed at Liverpool, where he just kept adding things to his game and adding things, and adding things.'
Cole believes that Rice's ability to get on the scoresheet has taken his game to another level, and 'the sky is the limit' for the England international.
'Declan's added goals to his game now with breaking from midfield with that power, and he's hitting the target and scoring goals,' he added.
'The sky is the limit for the lad – he really is a top, top player.'
Rice's future has been subject to intense speculation in recent months, with Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly interested in the midfielder valued at over £100million.
The Hammers, though, believe they can transform into a 'real force' in the Premier League by keeping hold of their star man, with reports suggesting that they will not entertain any bids for the midfielder.
West Ham are intent on building their future around the 22-year-old and feel they can regularly challenge for Europe with him in their side, a report from The Sun claims.