“I like him a lot, he plays just like Jude Bellingham and he’s my favourite Arsenal player”- Everton former manager Sam Allardyce says Arsenal have a player who is very similar and better than Jude Bellingham- Not Saka and not Kai Havertz

‘What a player’… Sam Allardyce says Arsenal have a player who’s ‘a bit like Jude Bellingham’

Declan Rice has hit the ground running at Arsenal.

The midfielder only arrived at the Emirates this summer, but he’s already established himself as one of the Gunners’ most important players.

Rice is undoubtedly one of the first names on the Arsenal teamsheet now, and his performances as of late have been nothing short of outstanding.

Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast, Sam Allardyce has been discussing Rice’s recent form, and he’s been full of praise for the midfielder, even going as far as to compare him to Jude Bellingham.

Rice is like Bellingham

Allardyce spoke highly of the midfielder.

“In my opinion yeah, one of the biggest differences and one of the biggest purchases they made. I thought Man City were going to buy him when they bid, I thought they would go the whole way, but they didn’t and I think he had his eye on Arsenal anyway.

I don’t know, but he’s made a difference in midfield. I watched him when they beat us at Leeds, and I said to Moyesy ‘you lucky boy.’ It’s a bit like Jude Bellingham and what’s happened to him, what a player he’s become, Declan Rice hasn’t had that impact, but he has had a massive impact at England, West Ham and now Arsenal,” Allardyce said.

What a midfield

The fact that you can speak about both Rice and Bellingham in this way is so exciting from an England perspective.

These two genuinely could form one of the best midfield pairings in the world for years to come if they continue on their current trajectories.

Rice has come on leaps and bounds over the past few months, while Bellingham has become an almost unrecognisable player since signing for Real Madrid.

Make no mistake about it, these two are two of the most highly-regarded players in world football these days, and Gareth Southgate has the pleasure of working with both men.