Declan Rice Hails “Unbelievable” Saka After Iran Display

Declan Rice hails Saka’s character…

England’s Declan Rice hailed Bukayo Saka’s character following his Man of the Match performance against Iran in England’s opening World Cup game, the Mirror reports.

Starting his first match at a major tournament since the penalty shootout heartbreak against Italy last season and what followed, Saka looked like a man on a mission.

The 21-year-old has reached new heights since Euro 2020, becoming Arsenal’s top goalscorer last season and following that up with a bright start this term.

Gareth Southgate gave Saka the nod on England’s right-wing despite calls from the public to start Phil Foden and Arsenal’s academy graduate didn’t disappoint.

“It’s unbelievable what he’s done,” Rice was quoted as saying.

“It says everything about his strength of character. You saw what happened last summer, everyone was with him then. He’s flourishing with Arsenal.

“He’s playing with a smile on his face.

“You see him around the training ground, he is the happiest person around the place. We’re all so happy for him,” the West Ham skipper added.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has often stated that the next step in Saka’s career is for him to become a ‘killer’ and decide games on his own.

The west London-born winger is certainly starting to warm to that status for club and country and it looks like he’ll have a special season.

It remains to be seen if Southgate will look to rotate for the USA game on Friday, but Saka has made himself nigh on undroppable.