West Ham news: Peter Crouch insists Hammers star Declan Rice 'would walk into any team'

<p>West Ham endured a frustrating defeat against Crystal Palace as Roy Hodgson's Eagles all but confirmed their Premier League status for another season.</p>

<p>The Hammers&nbsp;were desperate to create some distance between themselves and the bottom three, however goals from Jordan Ayew, Wilfried Zaha, Jeffrey Schlupp and Eberechi Eze ensured it was Palace who reached the magical 40 points.</p>

Declan Rice once again showed his class despite his side not playing to the highest standard.

The midfielder has undoubtebly been the star of a below average West Ham side this season.

<p>Before the game, former England international Peter Crouch told <em>BT Sports:</em> "If Rice stayed here, he would be a West Ham Legend.</p>

<p>"I think that the fans will understand that he wants to play Champions League football.</p>

<p>"I believe that Rice could walk into any team in Europe."</p>

<p>Crouch was then asked whether or not he believed Rice would get into Man City's midfield. The former Liverpool man said: "Without a doubt."</p>

This is despite the Cityzens only recently acquiring the services of Kalvin Phillips in the summer.

<p>Rice has been linked with many clubs across the world but would reportedly prefer to stay in England.</p>

<p>He has been the anchor of West Ham's midfield for a while now and has even proven on the international stage that he can compete with the world's best.</p>

He has been in stellar form this season, appearing 33 times in the Premier League, contributing to five goals.

However, with West ham just five points from safety, there is still a chance of them being relegated into the Championship.

If this were to happen, there is no doubt that Rice would leave in the summer as his talents would be wasted in the Championship.

<p>The article <a href="https://www.planetsport.com/soccer/news/west-ham-peter-crouch-hammers-declan-rice-walk-any-team">West Ham news: Peter Crouch insists Hammers star Declan Rice 'would walk into any team' </a> appeared first on Planetsport.com.</p>